Greens preferred by most Dutch in new government formation

From a survey by Whooz regarding Dutch citizens' preferences for the current coalition formation among 9,500 respondents divided in 14 target groups, it appears a coalition between the 'core bloc' of VVD, D66 and CDA together with GroenLinks is most popular. This cabinet is slightly more desirable to Dutch citizens than a combination of the core bloc with the ChristenUnie. Third in line is a leftist coalition with CDA, D66, GroenLinks, SP, PvdA and PvdD.

According to BNR, head analyst at Whooz Erik van der Eijk said mostly Dutch youth and urban residents prefer a government including a green party. "Elderly and rich citizens favor the ChristenUnie." Van der Eijk said it was surprising that progressives overall prefer a coalition with the three biggest parties rather than a leftist combination. "Maybe the results brought about a sense of accepting reality."

AD says that the explicit preference of Dutch conservatives for a coalition with the ChristenUnie is due to a fear of GroenLinks wanting to allow more refugees into the country and/or decreasing national income inequalities.

GroenLinks' your organization, DWARS, calls for formations without the CDA, as Buma is believed to block all green tax proposals. According to insiders he is not willing to cater to any of GroenLinks' proposals aimed at resource sustainability and distribution. "CDA is stuck in the past and does not want to move an inch to secure the future of our country", DWARS said.

Last week's poll by Maurice de Hond indicated that a slight majority of VVD voters regard a coalition including the GroenLinks as 'unthinkable'. When asked about this, VVD party leader and Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte simply responded that this was "Interesting", according to the Telegraaf. They recently reported that in fact, important VVD party figures were seriously considering collaborating with GroenLinks in the cabinet, as another combination such as with the ChristenUnie would be even less favorable.

The chances of the PvdA or PVV joining coalition negotiations seems almost non-existent. PvdA party leader Lodewijck Asscher reiterated last week that he would be unavailable for the coalition. Cooperating with the PVV has been ruled uit by all major parties currently involved in the formation talks. 

This will be the first time in forty years that the Dutch coalition will consist of at least four parties. This is due to the main three parties collectively having insufficient seats to rule in the Senate, where 76 are needed for a majority.