MPs will debate TV presenters’ salaries in parliament on Wednesday. Culture minister Ronald Plasterk wants the salaries of presenters in public service broadcasting to stay below a ceiling of 181,000 euros. The salary limit, labelled the ‘Balkenende norm’, is equal to the annual salary of Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

In principle in the Dutch public sector, nobody is supposed to earn more than the prime minister. Mr Plasterk is now introducing the limit in public service broadcasting as well. However, the Labour Party culture minister is prepared to allow five top TV presenters to earn above the limit, on the basis that they have a ‘unique talent’.
 

Junior coalition partner the Christian Union plus the Socialist Party and the rightwing Freedom Party object to any exceptions to the rule. The Christian Union says any exceptions would set a precedent for other sectors, and send the wrong message during a time of economic crisis.
 

Dutch public broadcasting has been pushing for a limit of 240,000 euros to allow them to compete with top salaries in the commercial sector. However, they failed to win the support of MPs for an increased limit.

At present, forty presenters in Dutch public service broadcasting earn more than the prime minister. When their contracts come up for renewal, however, their salaries will be cut down to the Balkenende norm.