3 weeks Ago
D66 and CDA in Charge
Koolmees finished the first step of the process, which is identifying which parties were going to explore whether they could be partners and what that would look like. He asked D66 and CDA to find common ground on five items of significance: immigration, housing, security and defense, nitrogen, and the economy. After this stage, if you come up with anything, other parties can assess whether they want to cooperate.
In the recent election, D66 had 26 seats and CDA 18, both gaining seats from the last election. The VVD won 22 and lost 2. The VVD was disappointed to be excluded from the process. Dilan Yeşilgöz, who leads the VVD, said she was hearing the time-consuming steps, but preferred to form a governing coalition with D66, CDA and JA21 (as a 13 member party constituting a total of 75 seats) because it would have just enough to reach a 76-seat working majority in the Tweede Kamer.
Challenges Put in Front of D66 and CDA
Koolmees stated that because of the refusal of the VVD to reason with GroenLinks-PvdA, they were out. D66 and CDA, as with the election, were able to explore alliances to the left and right. However, he forewarned that D66 and CDA faced a challenging line ahead, finding a mutually satisfying proposal, since they also needed to account for the interest of other parties, including GroenLinks-PvdA and BBB, who would provide important support in the senate until at least 2027.
D66 leader Rob Jetten and CDA leader Henri Bontenbal seemed willing to undertake the role. Jetten stated that their agenda will capture a wider interest than just their constituents, conflicting with the good challenges it poses. Bontenbal called this a step in the right direction, stating that he is committed to "doing politics differently" and taking the lead to take responsibility rather than sit back.
Next Steps in the process of formation
The lower congregational house, the Tweede, will discuss Koolmees' request on Thursday before appointing an informateur to implement the next stage of the negotiations process between the parties. The report of the D66 and CDA should have an agreement to submit on/or/before December 9, 2023, which will present another major deadline to form the new Dutch Cabinet.
