It succeeded. And that's even though we really didn't have a cent's worth of confidence left here. But still. It is there, in the financial section of the coalition agreement 'Confidence in the future':
'Intensification of €0.1 bln in favour of cultural sector and historical democratic awareness. (RA_631)'
That's 100 million euros, which is exactly what one of the participating parties, d66, promised. How exactly this will all work itself out is not yet entirely clear. Arts 92 already knew to report that in any case it is a gradual increase in the overall budget. That increase grows from 25 million to 80 million over four years. Part of it is the temporary support for the middle groups, which were in danger of falling out of the system, fought for last year, So reports employers' organisation NAPK on its site. Got us again worried for nothing.
But so there's more to it, because where else will this financial section get that €0.1 billion a year?
Manor grant
It will also partly come from the €325 million spent over the next four years on supporting owners of monuments. So that's 75 million for both the plodding labourer with a collapsing workhouse and the owner of that capital estate on the Veluwe. How else could the VVD have changed tack?
Furthermore, the government is also already prescribing which urban regions will benefit from the extra efforts: At least Groningen, Breda, Enschede and Eindhoven. In addition, the Cultural Participation Fund will receive extra money "for the preservation of Popular Culture". Something in me tells me that this does not involve hip-hoping Cape Verdians in Rotterdam South, but that remains to be seen.
For now: a tentative bubble can open. It is a start. That does give some confidence in the future. But whether this will make us spontaneously chant the national anthem?
You can find the entire coalition agreement here.
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