Labour leader Diederick Samsom says he hopes the PvdA will be able to form a left-wing coalition with the Socialists after the September general election.

The SP would be a ‘fine partner’, Diederick says in an interview with Elsevier magazine. The SP has proved itself to be a good manager in the cities where it is part of local government coalitions, the Labour leader said.
The green party GroenLinks and Liberal democrats D66 have proved themselves to be too right wing by signing up to the five-party austerity package finalised earlier this month, Samsom said.
Criticism
Samsom originally came under fire for not joining the five-party coalition but Labour supporters have since turned against the plan.
Opinion polls show the PvdA and SP would need to sign up at least one other party in order to form a coalition government.
The Netherlands will elect a new government on September 12.