“The balance will be drawn up on Monday,” says one person involved. Most meetings are digital, for example those with JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans and GL/PvdA leader Jesse Klaver. In addition to a digital consultation in the morning, the trio of D66, CDA and VVD has also been invited to the formation area in the House of Representatives in the afternoon. The VVD is thus emphatically moving towards the two parties that have so far taken the lead in the formation.
Stalemate in formation: can minority cabinet offer a way out?
The new phase follows a turbulent formation week. On Thursday, Buma warned that due to all the blockages, he sees little point in either a majority or a minority cabinet. On Friday, the party leaders of D66, VVD, CDA, GL/PvdA and JA21 were given homework. “There have been a lot of calls and contact,” said another insider.
Blockages remain
Behind the scenes, the option of involving VVD at the table seems to receive the most support, although it also sounds like the final decision has not yet been made. Time is running out: Buma must hand in its final report on Tuesday. Although a breakthrough is in the air, the blockages have not yet disappeared. VVD does not want to go with GL/PvdA, D66 sees little point in governing with JA21, and GL/PvdA and JA21 do not want to pledge support for a minority cabinet of VVD, D66 and CDA.
“A movement is needed,” Buma emphasized earlier. He appealed to the party leaders’ sense of responsibility. The House of Representatives will debate the report on Wednesday and will probably elect a new informant.