Serious negotiations to form a new Dutch government will begin with only two parties—the centrist-liberal D66 and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA)—after weeks of stalemate, public broadcaster NOS reported on Tuesday.
The move comes after Wouter Koolmees, tasked with surveying viable coalition options, concluded that larger talks remain blocked. The liberal-conservative VVD refuses to cooperate with the left-wing Labour–Green alliance (GroenLinks-PvdA), while several parties ruled out working with right-wing groups PVV and Forum for Democracy.
D66 and CDA, the biggest winners in last month’s parliamentary elections, control 44 of 150 seats, far short of the 76 needed for a majority. Leaders Rob Jetten (D66) and Henri Bontenbal (CDA) say they hope a bilateral start will help unlock the impasse and potentially bring other parties on board later.
Koolmees will submit his report to parliament on Tuesday night. Lawmakers will debate it Thursday and choose who will lead the next phase of talks; Koolmees has ruled himself out due to returning to his role as national rail chief.
