New Round Of Dutch Coalition Talks Start, 5 Months Since Elex

By Tara Oakes

     BRUSSELS (MNI) - Talks on forming a new government restarted in the

Netherlands Wednesday after a three-week summer break, Dutch news reported.

     Prime Minister Mark Rutte has remained in place since the March 15

election, as  negotiations between four parties are yet to hit a breakthrough

for the formation of a new coalition.

     Rutte's centre-right VVD party won 33 seats, the largest number of any

party. But the result still denies them an overall majority in the 150-seat

house.

     All parties refuse to negotiate with the second-largest grouping, the PVV

party, led by far-right firebrand Geert Wilders.

     Instead, Dutch media report that the VVD will hold meetings with 3 possible

coalition partners: the next-largest centre-right CDA, the liberal D66 and

ChristianUnie (CU) party. If struck, a deal between the parties would reach 76

seats.

     Dutch daily Financieele Dagblad reported Wednesday that differences

remained between the D66 and the CU on medical ethics.

     "On money you can reach a compromise. On principles you can't," it quoted

CU negotiator Gert-Jan Segers as saying.

     FD added that talks would continue Thursday.

--MNI Brussels Bureau; +44 203-865-3851; email: tara.oakes@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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