Bontenbal calls cabinet with JA21 ‘most realistic scenario’

A coalition with D66, CDA, VVD and JA21 is currently the “most realistic scenario” for CDA leader Henri Bontenbal. He said this after discussions with D66, VVD and the new informant Rianne Letschert. Bontenbal’s statement comes at a decisive moment in the formation. Next weekend the parties will not form in the House of Representatives, but on the De Zwaluwenberg estate in Hilversum.

D66 leader Rob Jetten said on Friday afternoon that the new phase of the formation has a “really ambitious” schedule. The new informant will have until the end of January. D66 and CDA therefore want to be able to present a “complete agreement”, as Jetten indicated on Friday afternoon.

The pressure on Jetten to form with JA21 is increased by Bontenbal’s statement. Friday morning also saw the presentation of the long-awaited report by former ASML CEO Peter Wennink on Dutch earning capacity. During the presentation, Wennink emphasized that his plans can only be implemented with the support of a majority cabinet. With a JA21, the parties with 75 seats still lack one seat to form a majority in the House of Representatives. This majority is also not achieved (by a long shot) in the Senate.

Further out of sight

In any case, a coalition with GroenLinks-PvdA seems to be increasingly out of sight. Bontenbal said on Friday afternoon that he “heard the VVD say quite clearly that they do not want some parties at the table”, including GroenLinks-PvdA. That is why JA21 is the “most realistic” at the moment. “But we will see. That is also still open.”

Informant Rianne Letschert will have an introductory meeting with both GroenLinks-PvdA leader Jesse Klaver and JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans on Friday afternoon.

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