Scout Backs Right-Wing Parties Move To Forward w/Gov't Formation

Parliamentary scout Ronald Plasterk has submitted his report to the president of the House of Representatives regarding efforts to start talks on forming a governing coalition following the 22 November general election. In the report (in Dutch) Plasterk identifies the simplest path to a majority gov't involves the right-wing nationalist Party for Freedom (PVV), centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), centrist good-governance New Social Contract (NSC) and agrarian-populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB).

• Plasterk outlines the reservations of various party leaders (NSC does not want to back PVV-led gov't at present due to concerns about respect for the constitution, VVD has said it would work with PVV in confidence-and-supply but not in coalition), and states where no coalitions will be possible (VVD ruled out a centre-left coalition with PvdA-GL, ending prospect of a gov't led by Frans Timmermans).
• He goes on to recommend the appointment of an informateur to lead talks between the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB. Firstly they would seek to reach 'a joint baseline for safeguarding the Constitution, fundamental rights and the democratic rule of law.' If that can be agreed, then focus would turn to: migration, social security, 'good governance', foreign policy, and climate/rural affairs.
• Should an informateur be appointed, the process of reaching agreement is likely to prove a drawn out one lasting several months.