A new coalition government made up of D66, the CDA, the VVD and far-right JA21 is currently the “most realistic scenario”, CDA leader Henri Bontenbal said after talks with D66, the VVD and the new negotiations leader, Rianne Letschert on Friday.

VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz has said repeatedly that she will not join a coalition with the left-wing alliance GroenLinks–PvdA, which would have been the logical outcome of the October general election.

That makes JA21 the “most realistic” option at present, Bontenbal said. “But we will see. That is still open too.” D66 leader Rob Jetten, who is set to be the next prime miniser, has also said he is not keen on forming an alliance with the far-right group, which has just nine seats in parliament.

A four-party coalition including JA21 would still be one seat short of a majority in the lower house of parliament, with 75 seats, and would also fall well short of a majority in the senate.

In addition, it would mean D66 would be the most left-leaning party in the coalition.

Bontenbal’s remarks come at a decisive moment in the coalition talks. This weekend, D66, the CDA and the VVD will hold discussions away from the parliamentary complex at the De Zwaluwenberg estate in Hilversum, where they will also stay overnight.

Jetten said on Friday afternoon that the new phase of the talks has a “highly ambitious” timetable.

Letschert has been given until the end of January to push through a deal, and D66 and the CDA want to be able to present a “complete agreement” by then, Jetten said.