Caretaker cabinet sets dubious record of longest period in office
The Dutch cabinet has been acting in a caretaker capacity for 273 days, the longest period in post World War II parliamentary history, according to the Montesquieu Institute.
The cabinet resigned on January 15 in the wake of the childcare benefit scandal and even though it is six months since the general election, no new coalition has yet been put together.
The previous record dates from 1977, when a caretaker cabinet headed by Joop den Uyl remained in power for 272 days.
The four current coalition parties – VVD, D66, CDA and ChristenUnie – are currently in negotiations on forming a new alliance and concrete policy talks are due to start next week.
Cabinets acting in a caretaker capacity are not allowed by convention to implement new policy.
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