US EditionDutch parties aiming for rare minority coalition government
- On Jan 9, talks aimed to set up a rare minority cabinet as D66, the Christian Democrats and VVD negotiate a 66-seat coalition in the 150-seat lower house of parliament.
- Amid a fragmented party landscape, leaders say a majority proved elusive as major parties ruled out Geert Wilders and D66 objected to including JA21, narrowing coalition options.
- Negotiators say this week will be decisive for the cabinet's form, with Rob Jetten saying `It was not an easy decision,` and leaders inviting other party leaders in parliament for talks.
- Being 16 seats short in the Upper-house Senate means the cabinet could see laws blocked, so the new administration will need support from other parties and Eelco Heinen, caretaker finance minister, warned funding needs will be substantial.
- The parties said the change could prompt a shift in political culture, with Henri Bontenbal calling it `the new political reality` and Joost Eerdmans calling exclusion a `missed opportunity`.
39 Articles
39 Articles
In the Netherlands, government formation has taken a step forward.
The left-liberal D66 had won the parliamentary election just before the right-wing populist Wilder's party. Now it wants to rule with two middle-right parties.
The new parliament in the Netherlands consists of 15 political groups, which makes the formation of government tricky. Especially if no one wants to work together with the second most powerful force. A tripartite alliance wants to rule soon without its own majority.
The left-liberal party D66 became the strongest in the election and wants to form a government with Christian democrats and right-wing liberals. They will depend on cooperation with the opposition.
After weeks of negotiations, the Netherlands is heading towards a minority government with a middle course. Parliament is highly fragmented. Already now there are fears that the government could not last long.
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