The Christian Democrats, Labour (PvdA) and ChristenUnie are to talk seriously about forming a new government, following Friday’s meeting with Rein Jan Hoekstra, the man charged with forming the next cabinet. The three parties are set to meet on Monday to look at the next stage in the coalition process, ANP reported.

CDA leader Jan Peter Balkenende said this afternoon that he would prefer a coalition with ChristenUnie. Labour leader Wouter Bos said he would rather group with GroenLinks but was also prepared to talk to ChristenUnie.
Balkenende said he had opted for ChristenUnie for pragmatic reasons. That choice was also justified by the results of last months general election, he said. ChristenUnie doubled its seat total from three to six.
The Socialist Party, which added the most seats in the November poll, pulled out of the coalition talks last week.
Hoekstra is expected to meet Queen Beatrix later on Monday or on Tuesday to report on his achievements.