Most parties in parliament are happy with the appointment of former Labour minister Ronald Plasterk as the new verkenner, or scout, to start the process of putting together a new government coalition. 

Only Denk and the pro-animal PvdD said they would not accept Plasterk’s appointment and that means there is “broad support” for him, parliamentary chairwoman Vera Bergkamp told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. 

Plasterk will now talk to all the party leaders to find out who is willing to work with whom and what coalitions are possible. He replaces PVV senator Gom van Strien who resigned after the NRC reported on fraud allegations that had been made against him. 

PVV leader Geert Wilders described Plasterk as “a creative spirit who will do a good job”. 

Plasterk was education minister from 2007 to 2010 and home affairs minister from 2012 to 2017 on behalf of the PvdA. Since then he has made a name for himself writing columns in the populist daily Telegraaf and described the election results in his most recent piece as “healthy”.

“What should happen now? That’s not a difficult question,” he wrote. “Justice needs to be done to the election results. The winners are the PVV (37 seats), NSC (20) BBB (7), and – yes, a loser but still big, the VVD (24). Together they have a clear majority and a lot of points in common.”

“There are no serious alternatives,” he said. “The cabinet formation is not enormously complicated and does not need to take long.”

Meanwhile, VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz again stated that her party would not join a Wilders-led coalition but said she would be willing to support the coalition on some issues. The VVD is meeting to discuss this position on Wednesday because several party grandees have criticized it. 

Plasterk has until next Tuesday to report back to parliament about progress.