Outgoing Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm says PvdA (Labour) leader Wouter Bos should take over his job in the next cabinet. Zalm’s Liberal (VVD) party is not involved in talks on forming a new coalition. Bos’s involvement would boost the cabinet’s stability, Zalm told a TV show on Monday night.

As finance minister, Bos could have ‘a lot of influence’, Zalm said. Zalm has been Finance Minister for 12 years. Bos is determined to stay an MP, sources said on Tuesday.
Talks on forming a new cabinet between the PvdA, Christian Democrats (CDA) and ChristenUnie will resume on Wednesday. This week, the focus is on controversial issues such as pensions and mortgage tax relief.
Both the PvdA and ChristenUnie want to cut mortgage tax relief for new homeowners; the CDA is strongly opposed. Insiders told the Telegraaf it was a ‘crucial’ week.