Dutch universities and research laboratories set for major cuts

摘要

The Dutch government is about to announce deep cuts across its scientific research organizations and universities. The proposal has already been accepted in principle by the Liberal and Labour parties that make up the new coalition government. The Liberal/Labour and Democrat alliance that has ruled the country for the past four years re-emerged victorious in the general election on 6 May, with the Labour party led by prime minister Wim Kok polling 29 per cent and the Liberals 25 per cent. After two months of negotiations, the shape of the new ruling coalition and its programme is finally beginning to emerge.