D66, VVD, CDA to take until January 30 for next phase of coalition talks

D66, VVD, and CDA will take until January 30 to complete the next phase of coalition talks. A D66 spokesperson confirmed that the party will submit a motion to this effect on Wednesday during the Cabinet formation debate, following reports by De Telegraaf.

Sybrand Buma, the outgoing informateur, a senior politician tasked with guiding coalition talks and providing formation advice, recommended that D66, VVD, and CDA draft an agreement together while also holding discussions with other parties. It is still uncertain whether the resulting “governing base agreement” will lead to a minority or majority coalition.

Rianne Letschert, chair of Maastricht University’s board, has been nominated to succeed Buma. The motion also names her for the position.

GroenLinks-PvdA leader Jesse Klaver warned that if the talks produce a minority Cabinet, it could create significant uncertainty. “The opposition would quickly be held responsible for that uncertainty, and we will not accept that responsibility,” Klaver said during the debate on Buma’s report.

“That is the result of the decisions you three have made, and you will have to bear that responsibility,” Klaver stated. He added that GroenLinks-PvdA will review each proposal on a case-by-case basis before deciding whether to support it.

Klaver is certain the result will be a minority government, which he has previously described as “a very risky experiment.”

Klaver was not the only one to criticize the three parties during the coalition formation debate; PVV leader Geert Wilders took the opportunity to criticize D66 and CDA’s proposals. He accused the parties, speaking to D66 leader Rob Jetten, of already preparing for cuts to healthcare and social security.

“You are likely planning to cut billions from healthcare,” Wilders charged. D66 and CDA note in their proposal that “healthcare and social security costs are rising primarily because of an aging population.” Wilders opposes healthcare cuts, though he has not clarified how he would cover the costs before the elections.

Jetten pointed to discussions he had with several experts before the parties started drafting their plans. According to the experts, there are many challenges, particularly in the labor market. “That is the honest picture, and it is in the Netherlands’ interest that we make decisions accordingly,” he stated.

On healthcare, Jetten stated, “Billions will be invested in the coming years, but the system will hit limits, and waiting lists are already growing.” He argued that substantial reforms are needed. The parties are also rolling back the planned halving of the deductible, a PVV initiative under the caretaker Cabinet that would have cost the state several billion euros each year.

ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker expressed concern over the two parties’ healthcare plans. “We should avoid ruthless cuts to healthcare and ensure that future elder care remains compassionate,” she said.

Jetten acknowledged that the formation document did not thoroughly address social security and healthcare. “I believe that will be a focus in the next phase of coalition talks,” he stated.