Cabinet formation talks could take just weeks: FD
Sources in The Hague suggest talks on forming a new right-left government between the VVD and Labour could be completed in a matter of weeks, the Financieele Dagblad reports.
The two parties emerged as the big winners in last week’s general election.
Both parties want to draw up an agreement that sketches general strategy and positions but which allows individual ministers to develop detailed policies.
The VVD and Labour both want a speedy formation process so they can amend parts of the 2013 budget agreement, the paper states. Although Labour has now accepted the rise in value-added tax to 21%, both parties want to change the proposed tax on travel expenses, the paper says.
Ministers
Sources have told the FD the VVD wants to focus on strict agreements on the budget deficit, public safety and reducing the tax burden.
Labour wants to focus on education, innovation, reforming the housing market and healthcare as well as ensuring the government books balance by 2017.
A number of names have already been mentioned as potential ministers. The FD says VVD ministers Ivo Opstelten (justice), Edith Schippers (health), Henk Kamp (social affairs) and Melanie Schultz (transport) are likely to return to the cabinet.
Labour parliamentarians Mariette Hamer and Jette Klijnsma are among PvdA potential ministers, the paper says.
Who would you like to see as a minister? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.
We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.
Make a donation