Cabinet formation talks to continue Saturday; Lengthy negotiations went late on Friday

Negotiations about the formation of a new Cabinet will continue on Saturday. After another long day of negotiations, the party leaders from the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB parted ways on Friday at around 9:15 p.m. The two moderators leading the talks must complete their report for Parliament by Wednesday.

According to BBB leader Caroline van der Plas, the talks went well, but she could not say whether the parties will reach an agreement on Saturday. Like Van der Plas, Omtzigt was positive about the progress of the negotiations. "Look, if I thought it couldn't work, then somewhere along the way, a line would have been drawn." PVV leader Geert Wilders and VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz did not speak to journalists.

After the negotiations, Van der Plas was unwilling to identify any remaining sticking points or areas where gaps in policy have not been bridged. NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt indicated afterwards that the housing crisis was discussed on Friday. He said that subject simply needs more time to be discussed further.

In addition to Omtzigt, four more NSC parliamentarians were present at the negotiations. Financial specialist Eddy van Hijum took a seat for a side table conversation on finances separate from the main dealmakers. The state of the economy, the treasury, and budgeting policy proposals remain one of the biggest themes, moderator Elbert Dijkgraaf indicated on Friday evening.

On Saturday morning at 10 a.m., the party leaders were set to join the moderators again. According to Omtzigt, the expectation is that negotiations will continue into the evening on Saturday.

Dijkgraaf and his colleague, Richard van Zwol, said they definitely will not submit a report before their deadline. If the four parties reach a deal, they believe it will not happen until Wednesday. "There will be discussions until May 15, but it depends a bit on what form and in what intensity," said Van Zwol.

He pointed out that the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB leaders also have to take any deal back to their political factions if an agreement is reached. "All of that still has to be done in this time period." They do still believe that the parties will actually reach an agreement.

"We are certainly working towards that," said Van Zwol. But, he added, that people should not make the assumption that the process will run smooth the next five days. "There will only be an agreement when there really is an agreement."

Earlier this week, Van der Plas said that they were very close to an agreement and one could possibly be expected sooner. But Van Zwol and Dijkgraaf said they will use the time up until their deadline.

But after midnight on May 15, their assignment is really over, according to Dijkgraaf. Van Zwol joked, "These two Protestants are very fond of the sanctity of that date." They have other appointments the next day, according to the CDA member.