Coalition threatens €1.2 billion education cuts if social security reforms stall

A secret document reveals that the governing coalition of D66, VVD and CDA has agreed to allocate a €1.2 billion cut to the education, culture and science ministry should reforms in the social-security system fail to deliver the expected savings. The arrangement is intended to pressure D66, which positions itself as the party of education, because minister Vijlbrief’s inability to reduce social-security outlays would directly affect colleague Letschert’s portfolio.

Prime Minister Jetten and finance minister Heinen have warned that any shortfall in the projected €3 billion savings will be met with further fiscal proposals. The plan also includes a “price adjustment” that limits inflation-linked growth for several ministries, sparing Foreign Affairs, Defence and Justice while hitting the education ministry hardest. Additional reductions are slated for the Climate and Energy Fund, amounting to about €200 million. The cuts still require parliamentary approval in the upcoming spring budget bill.