By our political editors
19 dec 2023 om 05:01
The formation of a new cabinet will enter a new phase on Tuesday afternoon. The party leaders of the PVV, NSC, VVD and BBB, together with their seconds, join informant Ronald Plasterk.
In this new phase, also called the information phase, the parties will negotiate a coalition agreement. But before that happens, a discussion about the Constitution, fundamental rights and the democratic constitutional state is first on the agenda.
Geert Wilders (PVV), Pieter Omtzigt (NSC), Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD) and Caroline van der Plas must “look deeply into each other’s eyes”, Plasterk explained to the House of Representatives last week. He assured that it is “clear” for all four that these must be guaranteed. “No one is questioning that.”
The conversation is not just about which positions from the PVV election manifesto should be shelved. It will also be about how political leaders express and behave. How do they relate to the concepts of the Constitution and the rule of law?
According to Plasterk, they can get out of this “smoothly”. In any case, it is not the intention to talk about this obstacle for six weeks, he emphasized. As soon as the parties are confident, they will start negotiations. Plasterk will report to Parliament again at the beginning of February.
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The word radio silence has already fallen
Until then, we probably won’t hear much. At least, as long as everything goes well indoors and in a nice atmosphere. The four political leaders met briefly last week.
Afterwards, Wilders already dropped the word “radio silence”. Plasterk confirmed that such a period is coming. “The flow of information will decrease and that is also normal in a formation and information process.”
Plasterk does not expect to produce interim reports in the coming weeks. During the debate on his advice, parties that were not participating in the negotiations for a new coalition had asked for this. They preferred to have a debate about safeguarding the Constitution, but the intended coalition prevented this.
Who will participate in the negotiations?
- Geert Wilders (PVV) is assisted by Fleur Agema.
- Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD) by Sophie Hermans.
- Pieter Omtzigt (NSC) is joined by Eddy van Hijum.
- Caroline van der Plas (BBB) by Henk Vermeer or Mona Keijzer.
2023-12-19 04:01:58
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