A general pardon for asylum-seekers is something the Christian Democrats are willing to talk about in the formation of a new cabinet with Labour (PvdA) and the Socialist Party, according to today’s Volkskrant newspaper.

However the party will not support the PvdA call for temporary ban on exportations under the existing coalition, the paper said, quoting CDA sources.
Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende is to inform MPs today on the outcome of a meeting over the issue of a general pardon for long term asylum seekers whose residency permit applications (made before 2001) have been turned down.
CDA’s coalition partner in the current minority cabinet, the Liberals (VVD), are strongly opposed to the Labour initiative which had a majority of one in parliament last week. Left-leaning parties have warned they could force the issue and call for the resignation of VVD immigration minister Rita Verdonk.
Balkenende announced last night that his party is willing to talk to the PvdA and SP on the formation of a coalition government. The CDA is the biggest party in parliament since the November elections.