Dutch news in brief, 26 June 2006

Pechtold elected to lead D66

Reform Minister Alexander Pechtold was elected the leader of the small government coalition party D66 at the weekend. Just under half of the party’s 8,000 members voted. Pechtold was elected in the sixth round of voting with 2,009 votes compared to 1,752 for his main rival, MP Lousewies van de Laan.

EUR 50 million for after-school childcare

All primary schools will receive a fixed grant and sum per pupil this year to support after-school care, Education Minister Maria van der Hoeven said on Monday. This will cost a total of EUR 50 million. The schools will have to have programmes in place to care for children before and after school hours in time for the 2007/8 school year.

Van Gogh museum buys 55 letters

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has bought 55 of Vincent van Gogh’s letters. They deal with an exchange from 1881-1885 between Van Gogh and fellow Dutch artist Anton van Rappard.

Minister to call it a day

Agriculture Minister Cees Veerman indicated in newspaper ‘Trouw’ that he does not want to return to government after next year’s election. Veerman said he felt that he had done enough public service during his time in office. During his time he had to deal with a major outbreak of bird flu among poultry and the threat that the H5N1 variety which can kill humans could take hold in the Netherlands. It hasn’t so far. Veerman is a member of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s Christian Democrat Party (CDA).

Motorists turn on lollipop wardens

Lollipop men and women who help school children cross busy and dangerous roads are increasingly being confronted by aggressive motorists, newspaper ‘De Telegraaf’ reported. There have been several incidents lately of motorists driving their cars at children only to stop at the last minute to intimidate the wardens.

Subject: Dutch news