At the end of the first week of cabinet negotiations, Liberal VVD leader Mark Rutte told assembled journalists: ‘We’re working hard.’

Discussions this week on forming a minority government of Liberals and Christian Democrats with parliamentary support from the anti-Islam PVV have ranged from where to make swingeing cuts in public expenditure to whether Turkey should join the European Union.
Talks continue next week.
Meanwhile, Rutte has seen his chance of becoming the youngest-ever prime minister evaporate. Friday was the last day when this would have been possible. Christian Democrat Ruud Lubbers, who led cabinet negotiations in July, retains the title.