MPs from the three parties on the verge of forming the Netherlands’ next government were in closed meetings on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the draft coalition agreement.

On Tuesday night, the leaders of the three parties – the VVD, PVV and Christian Democrats – said they had finalised their accord which covers the main policy plans for the next four years.
Christian Democrat MPs are expected to be the most critical of the deal. A number of senior party members have already said they reject any alliance with the anti-Islam PVV and one MP has stood down.
Ministers
The CDA is expected to hold a ratification congress in Arnhem on Saturday. If the CDA backs the deal, VVD leader Mark Rutte will begin the process of finding ministers and putting the cabinet together.
‘I am very pleased with the result. An awful lot of people are going to be delighted,’ Rutte was quoted as saying by Nos tv.
PVV leader Geert Wilders, who is due to appear in court on Monday charged with inciting hatred and discrimination, described the agreement as historic. The PVV will have ‘an enormous amount of influence’ as a silent partner, he said.

Details
Little has leaked out so far about the terms of the agreement but the parties said earlier they planned to cut government spending by €18bn. The agreement will be presented to the public on Thursday.
The right-wing VVD, the Christian Democrats and anti-Islam PVV have been in talks since August 5.
They have put together two agreements. One is the basis for the formation of a minority government between the CDA and VVD. The other covers areas where the PVV will agree to support the government – or not cause it to collapse.
The coalition will have the support of 76 of the 150 MPs, a majority of just one.
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