Jetten cabinet survives crisis talks but deadlock continues

The Dutch cabinet’s crisis talks ended in deadlock on Friday after more than seven hours, but the coalition will survive for the time being.

Prime minister Rob Jetten met right-wing liberal VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz and Christian Democrat CDA deputy prime minister Bart van den Brink from 11.30am.

The talks followed Thursday night’s vote on the tax plan, which the VVD says broke the coalition agreement.

“Things have not gone well recently, and that is affecting mutual relations,” Jetten said at a press conference after the talks. “That can and must be better: substantively, politically, and personally.”

The cabinet has not collapsed, but VVD sources told the Telegraaf that no progress had been made and the impasse continues. Talks will resume over the weekend.

If the talks had ended today, “it could have gone wrong”, Jetten said.