AD reports that “The end of the pay-as-you-drive charge is near”. According to the paper, the introduction of the scheme seems unlikely, now that the Christian Democrats (CDA, Prime Minster Balkenende’s party and former major coalition partner) have said that all preparations should stop because the cabinet has fallen.

Without CDA backing, there is no parliamentary majority for the controversial scheme. The party refuses to say whether the pay-as-you-drive charge will make a comeback in the CDA election programme.

The scheme called for the installation of a satellite receiver in all cars which would transmit the number of kilometres driven to a central computer. Ahead of the introduction of the new system, the cabinet had introduced a number of preparatory measures. The CDA says all preparations should be halted.

Labour Party MP Lia Roefs calls the situation ‘dramatic’. “This means we are again going to postpone dealing with the issue for years. When the right-wing ‘Tarmac’ parties win the elections, it will be nearly impossible to solve the problem.” However, Socialist Party MP Emile Roemer is quite happy with the latest developments: “The scheme was flawed. It was too expensive and unfair. The CDA never believed in it and there was never adequate support among the general public."

The conservative VVD, which traditionally champions the motorists’ cause, is also quite happy to see the pay-as-you-drive charge make its demise, but says it wants to see Traffic Minister Camiel Eurlings openly reject the scheme.

Sven Kramer smiling again
AD, de Volkskrant and De Telegraaf all feature photographs of speed skater Sven Kramer and his trainer Gerard Kemkers, who, during Tuesday’s men’s ten-kilometre race, told Sven to take the inside track when he shouldn’t have, resulting in Sven’s disqualification and a gold medal for South Korean skater Lee Seung-hoo.

AD writes that “Kramer forgives coach for blunder” adding that “the Netherlands is supporting Gerard Kemkers”. Sven Kramer says he wants to continue working with his coach despite his monumental blunder.

“I have won too many races with Gerard. Three times world champion, four times European champion, numerous world cups and Olympic gold on the men’s five kilometres. That’s not the kind of list to just simply drop your coach.” And a majority of the people who posted reactions posted on various blogs and websites say Mr Kemkers should not be sacked for his mistake.

Both De Telegraaf and de Volkskrant have a photograph on their front page of skaters Sven Kramer and Mark Tuitert with coaches Jac Orie and Gerard Kemkers; all of them smiling during Wednesday’s training for the team pursuit race.

De Telegraaf writes that the princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane (Crown Prince Willem-Alexander’s three daughters) got out their coloured crayons when they heard about Sven’s mishap and made some beautiful drawings to cheer him up. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s worth losing a race for, but tell me, how many of you can say you have had princesses make drawings for you when you mess up?

Teacher shortage
As if the economic crisis wasn’t bad enough, Trouw reports there is a rapid increase in the number of unqualified teachers trying to instil some knowledge into our kids. The trend is the result of a persistent shortage of qualified teachers. Trouw reports that early in the previous school year, nearly 80 percent of Dutch schools in secondary education had more unqualified teachers on their payroll than the year before.

Some would argue there is nothing wrong with this trend as long as the teacher in question has the knowledge needed to teach their subject. The issue has led to fierce discussions in the teachers' community. Teachers’ union Leraren in Actie (Teachers in Action) argues that hiring unqualified teachers lowers educational standards, while the director of a secondary school in Zaanstad says: “I’d prefer a enthusiastic, but as yet unqualified teacher to a qualified one who’s gone bitter.”

However, the chair of a foundation monitoring the quality of professional teachers says: “The underlying problem is that the teaching profession does not attract enough young people. That is what we need to address.”

And the pussycat says...
And now, some good news for all of you out there suffering from a late winter depression: there is a new party drug on the market, it’s called Meow Meow, and it is completely legal. It probably won’t stay that way for long, but at present you can simply order it via the internet and the postperson will deliver it to your doorstep. De Pers writes that the new drug is officially a growth substance for plants. “A curious rose grower probably started snorting the stuff.”

The drug, officially called 4-methylmethcathinone – or mephadrone – is described as a combination of cocaine and MDMA. It reportedly makes you euphoric, sociable, hyperactive and incredibly eehhh… well you know what I mean. And all that for between two and five hours.

As with all drugs, there are side-effects: palpitations, sleeplessness and nausea. In the United Kingdom, where use of the drug has its origin, somebody has reportedly died of an overdose. According to De Pers, another problem with Meow Meow is that excessive use gives you “a freaky face”. “You think you look normal, but your pupils are like small dishes and you look like a ruminating cow.” The UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is expected to issue a policy recommendation soon.

In the Netherlands, a spokesperson for the public health ministry said that before the drug is added to the list of banned substances, research must prove the substance ‘affects consciousness’ (If it didn’t, why would anybody take it in the first place?) and poses a threat to public health and to society.

However, De Pers writes that even if it were banned, it would just be a matter of time before the next chemical substance is discovered to have recreational applications. Even the public health ministry spokesperson had to admit that the Opium Law (banned substances act) is always playing catch-up.

It’s a Van Gogh!!!!!
Trouw reports that the painting Le blute-fin, which depicts a mill in 19th-century Paris, is a real Van Gogh. Dirk Hannema, founder of Museum de Fundatie in the eastern town of Zwolle, bought the painting for a few thousand guilders at a Paris art dealer in 1975. He believed the work was a Van Gogh, but experts sneered at his assumption. After all, it wouldn’t have been the first time Hannema got it wrong. However, a recent thorough examination by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has proved the painting of a mill in the Paris quarter of Montmartre is a real Van Gogh. The unsigned painting is nearly identical to a drawing in one of Van Gogh’s sketchbooks and to a one of his paintings which was lost.