By our political editors
March 11, 2024 at 05:00
Geert Wilders (PVV), Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD), Pieter Omtzigt (NSC) and Caroline van der Plas (BBB) will meet on Monday and Tuesday at the De Zwaluwenberg estate in Hilversum. It is the first time that the four party leaders visit informant Kim Putters together.
It is the last working week for informant Kim Putters. He must submit his report on this formation round to the House of Representatives by Thursday at the latest.
It is now clear that PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB are willing to discuss further. It can be heard before and behind the scenes that these parties really want to start negotiations now.
Putters was still cautious and needs a few more conversations this week to complete his report. That’s why the four go out on the heath for a day. It is the first time since ‘the breakup’ that they have sat down together again.
The Zwaluwenberg
The estate belongs to the Inspector General of the Armed Forces and is located near Hilversum. It was also used in previous formations. Sometimes there is a need for a more secluded place, a little further away from the hustle and bustle of the day and the press. There is enough space in the garden of the estate to take a one-on-one walk every now and then.
Finance, migration and international politics are important
Everything indicates that PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB will discuss forming an extra-parliamentary cabinet in the next phase. There is no one clear definition, but a few things are clear. For example, such a cabinet, which can also consist of ministers from outside politics or other parties, does not work with a rigid coalition agreement.
The basis is a thin government program. Ministers must get to work themselves and look for majorities in the House. These majorities can therefore change per subject. Agreements are only made about public finances, migration and foreign policy.
PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB will therefore have to consider these three topics in the next phase. That will be a challenge, because the views differ. For example, the VVD and NSC strongly support support for Ukraine, but the PVV is cautious. Moreover, the different view of government finances was the straw that broke the camel’s back for NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt in February.
But before the party leaders start these negotiations, they will have to wait for Putters’ report. The House will then debate again to determine how the formation should proceed. It looks like Putters will also lead the next round.
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2024-03-11 04:00:28
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