The CDA is back in, but Wilders, Rutte are to discuss crisis with MPs

Thursday 02 September 2010

PVV leader Geert Wilders and VVD Liberal leader Mark Rutte said on Thursday they planned to discuss the crisis within the Christian Democrats with their own MPs before deciding whether to continue cabinet formation talks.

After two days of crisis talks, CDA MPs have decided to continue the negotiations to form a right-wing cabinet, despite strong opposition from a handful of parliamentarians.

'We have many questions [about the crisis],' Wilders told reporters. 'I am not celebrating.'

The CDA and VVD are hoping to form a minority government which will be supported by the PVV in terms of economic strategy. In return, Wilders wants tough new agreements on immigration and integration and has made it clear he will continue to speak his mind about Islam.

Crisis

On Tuesday and Wednesday party officials were locked in crisis talks with MPs after opposition to an alliance with Wilders mounted.

'I am very glad that all 21 of us could reach this [decision] in unity,' acting party leader Maxime Verhagen told reporters after two days of upheaval within the CDA.

Ank Bijleveld will take over the job of second lead in the negotiations from Ab Klink, who has made it clear he does not personally back an alliance with the PVV.

Objections

Klink and two other anti-PVV MPs, Kathleen Ferrier and Ad Koppejan, will outline their objections to the alliance at a CDA congress after the coalition accord has been finalised.

The crisis within the CDA came to a head on Wednesday evening with the publication of a letter from Klink in which he outlines his objections to the PVV and says talks with the party are a no go for him personally.

He told reporters in the early hours of Thursday morning he would keep an open mind. 'At the end [of the negotiations] we will judge if the objections have been removed,' he was quoted as saying by Nos tv.

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See also:
Right wing talks are beyond repair

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