view the location of this item Try right-wing coalition, Dutch parties tell queen

The leaders of the four parties which won the most seats in Wednesday’s Dutch general election were received by Queen Beatrix today. They advised her on how to proceed in the formation of a government coalition. They spoke to the press afterwards.

Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Freedom Party which almost tripled its seats in parliament, told the queen he wants talks aimed at his party’s inclusion in government. He would like to serve in a coalition with the free-market liberal VVD which won the most seats in parliament, and with the Christian Democrats who had their number of MPs cut by almost half.
Right turn
Liberal party VVD leader Mark Rutte, as leader of the largest party, told the queen that he would prefer an exploratory phase with someone from the VVD mediating between the parties. He emphasised that an attempt should be made to include the Freedom Party in the coalition, because it was a major election winner.
Mr Rutte expressed some concerns about Freedom Party MP Hero Brinkman's loyalty to his party, and warned that a potential split within the party would make it less suitable as a coalition candidate. Mr Wilders was quick to give assurances that Mr Brinkman "is and will be a member of the Freedom Party, which will prove a stable partner in government".
Christian Democrats needed
Like Mr Wilders, Mr Rutte also sees the defeated Christian Democrats as viable coalition partners. He points out that they have a strong governmental tradition and a realistic approach to the budget. "Moreover, they've got the support of 1.3 million voters."
The Labour Party won the second biggest number of MPs but its leader, Job Cohen, says that joining a cabinet with the free-market liberal VVD "is not, at this juncture, the most likely option" given the differences in outlook between the two parties. A coalition combining Labour, the VVD and the left-of-centre democrat party D66 would need the support of the Green Left party to secure a majority in parliament.
Queen appoints
Queen Beatrix is speaking to the remaining party leaders in the course of Friday. They head the ten parties whose MPs make up the rest of the new Lower House.
After Dutch elections, it is the head of state who decides on the initial steps to be taken in the process of forming a new government coalition. Once the queen has executed her constitutional duty of appointing a new prime minister, she moves away from the political stage. However, Queen Beatrix is known to take a keen and active interest in national politics.