Chair of university association resigns as VVD senator

“I have tried to hold both positions,” writes Van den Berg. “But this turned out to be more difficult than I had anticipated. The time and dedication that my main position will demand in the times ahead make it impossible to work as an MP simultaneously.”

Election manifesto
Van den Berg co-wrote VVD’s election manifesto. VVD is a liberal party and is currently part of the governing coalition, together with PVV, NSC and BBB (all three right-wing). The coalition aims to cut about one billion euros from the higher education and research budget.

As a senator, he would most probably have to vote on these plans, which he is determined to fight (even in court) as a representative of the universities. UNL finds that the future of the Netherlands is at stake. 

"Any space currently available" 
Last Monday, at the Alternative opening of the new academic year, he said he wasn’t having a hard time lending continued support to his party, as the plans still need to be fleshed out. “There’s nothing in writing yet, no decisions have been made. I will make full use of any currently available space for damage control.” In a previous interview, he seemed to be hoping that the plans would be retracted before he’d have to vote on them. 

But Minister of Education Eppo Bruins has every confidence he will implement the cutbacks, despite calling them painful and ugly. This is what the minister said at last week’s opening of the academic year. Sparks may start flying in higher education and Van den Berg has taken pre-emptive action to avoid getting into loyalty conflicts.