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Dutch Coalition Talks Home In on Cabinet Lineup as Jetten Pushes Back on JA21

The informateur has shifted the talks to the coalition lineup under a January 30 deadline.

Overview

  • Party leaders Rob Jetten (D66), Dilan Yeşilgöz (VVD) and Henri Bontenbal (CDA) are meeting Thursday and Friday with informateur Rianne Letschert at De Zwaluwenberg in Hilversum.
  • Jetten said the composition of the coalition is the main agenda item and reiterated his lack of enthusiasm for involving JA21, with finances also set to be discussed.
  • Yeşilgöz said she would like JA21 at the table for a sturdier coalition but noted the decision is collective; she does not prefer a minority cabinet yet does not rule it out.
  • Bontenbal declined to state his view on adding JA21, and all parties emphasized the need to install a government quickly given international tensions.
  • D66, VVD and CDA lack a majority and are weighing either inviting JA21, which would bring them to 75 seats, or forming a minority; Letschert’s mandate runs to January 30 and commentator Joost Vullings expects a minority is likelier with a potential cabinet by mid-February to early March if talks proceed smoothly.