VVD obstructs government formation: Buma sees no majority or workable minority government
Counselor Sybrand Buma stated that there is currently no 'viable majority option' to form a coalition in the Netherlands. He also does not see any minority government having sufficient support to operate effectively, after talks with party leaders.
Buma plans to meet on Friday with the leaders of the five largest parties in the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives), excluding the PVV, to discuss the next steps. He confirmed that he does not consider the situation a deadlock yet, saying: 'This is exactly what I want to avoid.'
According to Buma, forming a realistic majority government is unlikely because the VVD still rules out cooperation with GroenLinks-PvdA. Minority government options, such as a coalition of D66, CDA, and VVD, are not feasible yet. Other parties, including JA21 and GroenLinks-PvdA, are not yet willing to provide 'structural support' for the main political areas, which is critical given the 'big challenges' and budget cuts facing the future government.
The central-right government preferred by VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz seems unattainable. The coalition of D66, CDA, VVD, and JA21 will only secure 75 seats, and D66 has objections to cooperating with JA21. Buma confirmed that these discussions will continue on Friday, even if tensions arise between the parties.
Jesse Klaver from GroenLinks-PvdA accused the VVD party of 'power arrogance'. However, Buma pointed out that taking risks is necessary to make progress in the government formation process. Without negotiation and compromise, it is unlikely that a stable government formation will advance.