Dutch govt parties clash over teacher salaries

The VVD and PvdA are butting heads over teacher salaries. The PvdA stated that they will not sign next year's budget if it doesn't contain higher wages for teachers. The VVD is digging in their heels, according to the Telegraaf.

With government formation talks between the VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristenUnie still ongoing, and with no end in sight, it is up to the departing VVD-PvdA government to come up with the 2018 budget.

PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher shot himself in the foot by shouting out that his party will not sign the budget if teachers don't get higher wages, VVD leader Hable Zijlstra said to the Telegraaf. "He might have been able to arrange that, but then he should've kept his mouth shut", the VVD leader said. According to Zijlstra, his party was initially "very willing" to "in consultation with the formation parties" make agreements on, for example, higher teacher salaries. "But then you shouldn't suddenly make claims in which you actually say: that's going to happen thanks to me. What Asscher is trying to do is take the credit of others."

Zijlstra added that teachers may still get a pay increase - but because the VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristenUnie agreed on it, without the PvdA's demands.