Dutch parties reach coalition deal after 209 days
October 9, 2017
Four Dutch political parties finally made a deal to form a coalition government on Monday, 209 days after the election.
The leaders of the four parties had been in negotiations since the March elections, trying to form a government. Prime Minister Mark Rutte's business-friendly liberal VVD party, the progressive D66 party and the Christian CDA and Christian Union parties will form a coalition if the agreement is given the all-clear by the various parties.
The negotiations surpassed the record-setting 208 days required to a form a coalition government in 1977.
Read more: Dutch premier Mark Rutte claims four parties are near to forming coalition
The new coalition will control just 76 seats in the 150-seat lower house, giving it a slim majority.
Rutte emerged from talks Monday telling reporters: "I am really happy."
"Exactly on the day that the government formation will surpass the previous record to form a government, there is ... an agreement. We are sharing it with our MPs this afternoon," he added
Read more: Why the Dutch need three months to form a government
Rutte will likely remain prime minister, but the other cabinet posts are expected to be unveiled on October 23, according to public broadcaster NOS.
"At last, at last... I am happy. I think it's an even-handed accord in line what everybody wants," said D66 leader Alexander Pechtold.
Rutte had tried to form a coalition with the GreenLeft party, but was hamstrung by differences over immigration. He refused to form a coalition with the anti-Islam far-right Freedom Party of Geert Wilders, which came second.
aw/kms (AFP, AP)