'I want a decision by Saturday,' says cabinet negotiator Lubbers

Wednesday 28 July 2010

Cabinet negotiator Ruud Lubbers has told the three right wing parties currently holding exploratory talks about whether they can form a new coalition government that he wants an answer from them by Saturday afternoon.

The Christian Democrats, anti-Islam PVV and right-wing VVD Liberals held their third day of exploratory talks about forming a new coalition government on Wednesday.

The three party leaders - Maxime Verhagen, Geert Wilders and Mark Rutte - have all refused to comment on any progress in public. The talks are being held at a secret location.

Silence

‘Perhaps there is progress but I don't know anything about it,' Lubbers said. 'I want to have heard something from them by middday on Saturday.'

Lubbers asked the three to get round the negotiating table when he took over as negotiator last week. The informal talks are supposed to determine whether there are any grounds for formal negotiations.

Insiders say a minority cabinet between the CDA and VVD could be on the cards - which would have the express support of the PVV in parliament. That would allow the CDA to avoid a formal alliance with the anti-Islam party and let Wilders concentrate on the provincial elections next spring.

© DutchNews.nl

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