VENLO, 25/02/03 - Conservative (VVD) leader Gerrit Zalm has not a single good word for the Christian democrat (CDA) and Labour (PvdA) parties' plans to introduce a career savings plan. "It is better to keep the existing pension system and the save-as-you-earn scheme now than to introduce yet another subsidy scheme," he said at a party meeting yesterday.

The CDA and PvdA reached agreement in principle last week on the introduction of the career savings scheme, whereby employees could save up free time for a course or sabbatical. The scheme would replace the popular save-as-you-earn scheme, under which pay can be set aside under tax-friendly conditions.

The VVD leader made it clear in Venlo yesterday that he has little confidence in the plans of CDA and PvdA, which are negotiating on the formation of a new cabinet. The parties are putting too much emphasis on increasing the burden of taxes on citizens and business, according to Zalm. "That is the wrong approach with today's bad economic prospects. "

Tomorrow, the PvdA and CDA will start their concrete negotiations. The chances of them indeed governing appear to be increasing now that Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) leader Mat Herben has made a continuation of the present CDA/VVD/LPF coalition more difficult. Last week, he threatened to take his ministers out of the caretaker government due to its asylum policy.

Zalm's spokesman predicted yesterday in Nederlands Dagblad newspaper that "in our view, there will be a coalition of the CDA and PvdA. And if that does not succeed, still just CDA and PvdA. And finally again: CDA and PvdA. We are not thinking of a combination with the LPF. "