Right-wing talks to resume, but other party support may be needed

Talks on forming a right-wing minority cabinet with support of the anti-Islam PVV can now restart, the queen’s negotiator Herman Tjeenk Willink said on Monday afternoon.


Tjeenk Willink has ‘advised the queen to ask (Ivo) Opstelten to continue his research into speedy formation of a stable cabinet made up of the VVD and CDA… which can count on a fruitful alliance with parliament,’ his spokesman said in a statement.
The talks would have a ‘reasonable’ chance of success, he said.
Nevertheless, Tjeenk Willink also recommended Opstelten look to other parties for support for certain policies. A new cabinet will have to rely on other parties to support some measures, in particular in terms of the European agenda, the statement said.
The PVV has agreed to support the minority cabinet in making €18bn worth of spending cuts, but retains the right to vote against the government in some areas.
Labour leader Job Cohen has already made it clear his party will not automatically help the coalition if it cannot rely on the support of the PVV.
Opstelten has already conducted four weeks of talks between the PVV, CDA and CDA. The negotiations were halted a week ago when Wilders pulled out, citing a lack of trust in the CDA.

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