The three parties involved in talks on putting together a new Dutch government have opted to form a minority administration – a rarity in the Dutch political landscape.
The Liberal democratic party D66, which won the election at the end of October, will join forces with the Christian Democrats and right wing VVD to create a cabinet which will rely on working with other parties to form majorities, depending on the political issue.
Together the three parties hold 66 seats in the lower house of parliament, 10 short of a majority. In the upper house, they are 16 seats short.
Choosing to govern without majority backing from the outset is highly unusual in Dutch politics. The VVD had pushed until the last moment to bring in far right party JA21, but that option ran into resistance from D66 on political grounds.
The three parties have been negotiating for several weeks. Negotiations leader Rianne Letschert said this week would be decisive in determining the form of a future cabinet.
Talks will now continue on the substance of the coalition agreement. Caretaker finance minister Eelco Heinen said the parties are already well advanced in their planning, but that the policies under discussion will require substantial funding.
More to follow
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