CDA meeting adjourned - Update

Wednesday 01 September 2010

Just 30 minutes after the resumption of their crisis talks on the coalition negotiations, Christian Democrat MPs again adjourned their discussion, according to press reports on Wednesday afternoon. Party leader Maxime Verhagen told the press talks would now continue with individual MPs on whether or not to continue negotiating with the anti-Islam PVV.

The crisis talks began on Tuesday afternoon and were adjourned seven hours later shortly after midnight. On Wednesday talks resumed at midday but lasted only 30 minutes.

The aim of the individual discussions is to arrive at a 'unanimous standpoint', according to press reports.

On Tuesday sources told various newspapers Ab Klink, caretaker health minister and party leader Maxime Verhagen's chief aide at the coalition talks, is no longer supporting the proposed Liberal VVD and Christian Democrat government, supported in parliament by the PVV. This led to the crisis talks.

Arriving at the talks on Wednesday, Verhagen was asked if he thought the coalition could still be achieved. 'I still think it can be. Don't worry,' he replied.

Meanwhile press reports are calling into question the role of former prime minister and negotiator Ruud Lubbers. He is alleged to have operated behind the scenes, together with caretaker justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin, to sabotage the negotiations.

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