Talks on forming a new government resumed on Wednesday morning in the Catshuis, the prime minister’s official residence in The Hague, RTL Nieuws reported. It is the first meeting of the three party leaders, Jan Peter Balkenende (Christian Democrats), Wouter Bos (Labour) and André Rouvoet (ChristenUnie) since they agreed last week that they have enough common ground to form a coalition.

A ChristenUnie spokesman told ANP on Tuesday that over 97% of party members supported the CU’s involvement in the talks. The orthodox CU agrees with Labour over income and environmental policy, the spokesman said.
And he confirmed earlier expectations that Rouvoet would not focus on the party’s opposition to abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage. ‘We are a full, broad political party, not a one-issue party,’ he said.