ONearly two weeks have passed, six months have passed since the elections of November 22. While almost the entire House of Representatives agreed at the time that a collaboration between PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB was the way chosen by the voters, more and more obstacles have appeared in the road since then.
Now that, after much hesitation, they have agreed that none of the party leaders will become Prime Minister and that they do not want an ordinary cabinet but a ‘program cabinet’ at a greater distance from the House, they must once again agree on an outline agreement. That also turns out to be complicated. With the exception of a few minor points (the increase in the maximum speed on the highways), not one substantial interim breakthrough has yet been reported or leaked, as was common in previous formations.
Last month, informants Richard van Zwol and Elbert Dijkgraaf announced that they wanted to know on May 15 whether the cabinet would be formed. They are also not available to extend their search afterwards. However, an ascension agreement, which was hinted at by some involved, did not appear to be possible on Wednesday. PVV leader Wilders, who chaired the talks, spoke of a ‘good day’ but did not want to give ‘any guarantee of a good outcome’.
Prime Ministerial candidate and ministerial team
The informants were also extremely cautious in their expectations. “There are still plenty of blockages on the table,” said Dijkgraaf. He mentioned in particular asylum policy, agriculture, housing policy, the financial rules and the deductible in healthcare. On many of these points, two or more of the four parties fundamentally disagree and compromises must therefore be made.
If the four do agree on an outline agreement, the next step will take place in the coming weeks: staffing their cabinet. An outsider will have to be found for the premiership – a candidate that all four parties can live with. He must then put together a team of ministers in consultation with the party leaders, who will then further develop the main agreement into concrete policy plans.
If the four do not agree, a majority in the House is expected to decide that GroenLinks-PvdA, as the second party in the House, may attempt to form a cabinet. However, none of the parties currently forming are enthusiastic about the idea of joining forces with the left-wing parties. If this continues, new elections will quickly approach.
