The government has announced budget cuts of more than one billion euros in higher education and scientific research, against the wishes of 69 percent of voters. Meanwhile, 62 percent of those who voted for current cabinet parties PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB are opposed to the plan as well.

These figures, which were published by the research agency Dynata, are based on an online survey commissioned by university association UNL. The survey was completed by a thousand respondents.

Of all Dutch voters, 86 percent believe that universities and science are important. What’s more, 76 percent of those who voted for one of the cabinet parties believe there should be enough money for Dutch universities and science. More than half say they would still want this if it meant that less money would be available for other things. Universities of applied sciences were not included in the survey.

‘Heed this signal’

“Dutch voters see that the announced cuts are a threat to important research into new medicines and counter-terrorism, for example”, said UNL president Caspar van den Berg at the opening of the new academic year. “The coalition parties in the House of Representatives have no choice but to heed this signal from their constituents.”

After calling the austerity plans “very unwise and harmful for the future of the Netherlands”, Van den Berg noted: “The coalition parties say productivity growth and future earning power are their priorities. If that’s true, such extreme budget cuts in the Dutch knowledge sector are all the more incomprehensible.”

Van den Berg is a senator for the VVD and co-wrote the party’s election manifesto. Hoping to stop some of the cuts, he has announced legal action.