A CDA, PvdA, ChristianUnie (CU) coalition is seen as the most obvious alliance (this would give the government 79 out of the 150 parliamentary seats) but many are asking if the SP’s huge electoral win can be ignored. Labour leader Wouter Bos has already made it clear that he believes the SP deserves a place in any new cabinet.

There are also sticking points in the relationship between the CDA and Labour, such as the issue of a general pardon for the 26,000 long term asylum seekers who are being deported.
And in its editorial today the Financieele Dagblad that personal animosity between party leaders could also hinder coalition negotiations. It points out that Labour leader Bos made it clear during the lection campaign that he would not serve in a Balkenende led cabinet, preferring instead to represent his party in parliament.
Queen Beatrix is expected to appoint an informateur to coordinate coalition negotiations later today.