Dutch coalition leaders continue crisis talks as Cabinet risks collapse

Talks among the leaders of the Netherlands’ three governing parties continue Saturday over the future of the minority Cabinet. The parties are seeking to resolve a deepening rift over the tax budget after VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz called the government a “failed experiment” and demanded that D66 and CDA stop working with the left. Failure to bridge the divide could cause the Cabinet to collapse.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten from D66, Yesilgöz and Deputy Prime Minister Bart van den Brink from the CDA are holding the discussions at the De Zwaluwenbertg estate in Hilversum, along with the parties’ parliamentary leaders: Jan Paternotee from D66, Ruben Brekelmans from the VVD and Henri Bontenbal from the CDA.

Jetten said on Friday evening that the parties would hold "fundamental talks” this weekend aimed at improvements “on substantive, political, and personal levels.” The discussions come after more than eight hours of negotiations on Friday at the Ministry of General Affairs failed to end the crisis.

Immediately after Jetten’s conciliatory remarks, Yesilgöz set out demands whose underlying message was that D66 and the CDA should no longer work with the left. She also said that another right-wing party may need to be brought into the Cabinet.

Officials at D66 and CDA say they were taken aback by the sharpness of Yesilgöz’s stance and remain unsure whether the VVD truly wants to reach an agreement. Two camps now face each other.