The deadline is January 30, Jetten told MPs during a debate on the negotiations so far on Wednesday, adding that “it is a short period”. Although the talks can span 51 days, they do include the Christmas and New Year breaks.

Jetten told MPs that his party does support entering discussions with just the right wing VVD, even though this was not his preferred route. Jetten said he would rather have worked towards a majority cabinet with the VVD and GroenLinks-PvdA, but this was blocked consistently by VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz.

CDA leader Henri Bontenbal said the next step in the cabinet formation process is “logical”, even if “not ideal”, and acknowledged concerns within his party about continuing talks with the VVD.

GroenLinks-PvdA leader Jesse Klaver, sidelined by the VVD, warned that the next stage of the negotiations could lead to a minority cabinet, resulting in “permanent formation and permanent uncertainty”.

Businesses in particular, he said, want stability. Klaver added that his party will not support cuts to healthcare or social security, and warned the three parties not to blame the opposition if the process breaks down. “This is your choice,” he said.

Jetten and Bontenbal have already drawn up a 17-page document outlining their strategy ideas for housing, migration, nitrogen, defence and the economy, which will now be fleshed out with input from the VVD.

VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz told MPs her party wants to discuss “sharper” proposals on asylum and migration, integration, foreign policy, security and public finances.

Not every issue needs to be fixed in detail beforehand, and some matters, she said, can be left to parliament.