The Liberal democratic party D66 and Christian group ChristenUnie have agreed to meet cabinet negotiator Edith Schippers again to decide if they can potentially work together in government alongside the VVD and CDA.

MPs from both parties agreed to clear the way to further talks at meetings on Tuesday morning.

Schippers told reporters on Monday afternoon that a combination of the four parties is the only option for a majority cabinet. With both the Socialists and the Labour party ruling themselves out of the talks, there is no other option open, Schippers said.

The Netherlands has been without a government since the March 15 general election. Talks with the VVD, CDA, D66 and left-wing greens GroenLinks collapsed a week ago.

D66 leader Alexander Pechtold has said he sees no point in an alliance with ChristenUnie because the two parties have widely differing views on ethical questions.