BBB will provide new minister of Education

After the government’s second fall and the departure of NSC minister Eppo Bruins, BBB will provide a new minister for Education, Culture and Science. It is not yet known who that will be.

Last week the Schoof cabinet fell for the second time. After the PVV previously withdrew, Nieuw Sociaal Contract now pulled out. Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp resigned because he could not agree with the VVD and BBB on new sanctions against Israel. Out of loyalty resigned also NSC education minister Eppo Bruins, along with his party colleagues.

On Wednesday afternoon the House of Representatives discussed what happens next. Caretaker prime minister Schoof said that the two remaining parties have reached an agreement: BBB will get the ministries of the Interior and of Education, Culture and Science.

The other three vacated ministries (Foreign Affairs, Health and Social Affairs) will go to the VVD. The names of the prospective ministers will follow as soon as possible, Schoof told parliament on Wednesday.

Continuing to govern becomes harder

In recent days BBB and the VVD have indicated that they would like to continue until a new government is formed after the elections. There is still plenty to do. The House of Representatives appears, for now, willing to give the two parties that chance.

But whether the once again caretaker cabinet can still be of real significance is in question. With only 32 seats the cabinet is highly dependent on other parties. Moreover, both the CDA and D66 said on Wednesday that they want to revisit the list of controversial issues. A caretaker cabinet may not make proposals on those issues.

After the previous cabinet fall, in June, nothing in higher education was declared controversial. Caretaker minister Eppo Bruins, for example, was allowed to continue with his plan to exclude international students. Whether that will also apply to the new BBB minister remains to be seen.

Schoof may still go to Twente

Meanwhile the University of Twente announced that caretaker prime minister Schoof may still open the academic year on Monday. Activists protested his arrival, in particular because of his cuts to higher education.

But: “His presence does not mean that the university or Saxion approves of this government policy. On the contrary, we make our concerns and disagreements heard clearly and constructively”, responds the university in U-Today.