Buma’s advice to only involve the VVD in the work of D66 and CDA must be embraced by a majority in the House of Representatives in next Wednesday’s debate. Since D66, VVD and CDA add up to 66 parliamentary seats, support from other parties is necessary to give the next informant this assignment. Buma’s successor, who returns to his mayoral post in Leeuwarden, will involve the VVD in this ‘next step’.
Video: After Buma formation advice: ‘They continue to need JA21 and GL/PvdA’
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Informant Buma sees ‘sufficient support’ for preparing agreement between D66, CDA and VVD
Since the PVV states in the report that it finds the writing ‘terrible’, GL/PvdA rejects this assignment because of its preference for a majority cabinet with itself and many smaller parties have doubts about support, it was equally uncertain whether Buma’s advice could count on a majority.
JA21 will not ignore Buma’s plan
JA21 tells De Telegraaf not to block this idea. Although Joost Eerdmans (JA21), like Jesse Klaver (GL/PvdA), thinks it is ‘a shame’ that he will not be involved in the next round due to the ‘objections’ of D66, he does not want to ‘plunge the country into a standstill’ by blocking Buma’s advice. “We’re not going to do that,” he says. With the support of CU (3) and 50Plus (2), a parliamentary majority is thus assured.
Wouter de Winther: the testy phone call between Sybrand Buma and Jesse Klaver
This means that the potential minority cabinet of D66, CDA and VVD appears to have passed the first test. According to Buma, this option is on the table, but he could not say ‘whether it is a final step or an intermediate step’. According to him, much will depend on the willingness of other parties to cooperate.
Eerdmans emphasizes: toleration goes ‘way too far’
Eerdmans believes whether JA21 wants to play a role as a tolerating partner ‘goes way too far’. He hopes that the trio will eventually end up with his nine parliamentary seats. “75 House seats is closer to a House majority than 66,” is his reasoning.
“In addition, the Netherlands voted center-right and we can be an indispensable link to implement reforms in the field of economics or migration. But if we do come to the table, we do want to leave our mark and renegotiate. We do not simply sign the cross.”
