D66 and CDA begin talks on immigration and take other viewpoints into consideration
The D66 and CDA parties have begun preliminary talks to form the next Dutch government, emphasizing that they will take into account the views of other parties while drafting a coalition agreement. The leaders aim to establish policies that reflect broader visions.
Rob Jetten, the leader of the liberal D66 party, said that he and CDA leader Henry Bontebal will consult parties 'on the left and right' instead of just pushing their own positions. The discussions will initially focus on asylum and immigration policy, with the aim of 'reducing disruptions, reducing internal migration, and enabling newcomers to participate in society earlier,' Jetten explained.
Experts in the field of migration and asylum will be invited to provide briefings during the talks. Bontempa emphasized the importance of consulting experts, noting that it would be 'arrogant behavior' for politicians to assume they have all the answers.
The D66 and CDA parties together hold 44 seats out of 150 in parliament, so they need additional parties to form a stable coalition. The right-wing VVD party, which has 22 seats, is considered essential, although its leader Dylan Jezelguz has refused to cooperate with the leftist coalition GL-PvdA, which could have secured a strong majority.
The former leader of the CDA party and mayor of Leeuwarden, Sybrand Buma, will lead the talks alone after the former D66 minister Hans Vijlbrief withdrew due to controversial private messages. The discussions will focus on five main areas: migration and asylum, energy, nitrogen reduction, security, and housing, with Buma scheduled to present his report to Parliament on December 9.