THE HAGUE, 28/01/03 - Christian democrat (CDA) leader Jan Peter Balkenende is prepared to try first to form a government with Labour (PvdA). The result of last Wednesday's election points most strongly in the direction of a CDA-PvdA cabinet, he said yesterday.

Up to now, Balkenende was not willing at all to move towards a coalition with the PvdA, which he recently still called "A considerable risk. " He stressed yesterday that the policy differences between both parties still exist, particularly in financial-economic areas and concerning renewal in education and healthcare. "But we must talk to each other openly. An attitude must develop that says, we are on speaking terms with each other," the CDA leader declared.

Balkenende said that a stable government was necessary with support for difficult measures. He expects that detailed discussions between CDA and PvdA can start at the end of this week or the beginning of next week. These will not involve negotiations, but an examination of "the ways we can get closer to each other. "

Balkenende had had a meeting yesterday morning with caretaker Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner (CDA), who was appointed as 'informateur' by Queen Beatrix on Saturday. In this position, Donner will examine ways of reaching a majority government "that can rely on a fertile collaboration with the Lower House," as his official assignment puts it.

Donner said yesterday that he would examine three possible government coalitions: a combination of CDA with PvdA, continuation of the present coalition of CDA with the conservatives (VVD) and Pim Fortuyn List (LPF), and the option of a 'purple' government of PvdA, VVD and the center-left (D66). He did not refer to the possibility of a CDA-VVD-D66 coalition or one between CDA and VVD supplemented by the two small Christian parties ChristenUnie and SGP.

Donner will only look at the political willingness of the parties to form a cabinet, and the obstacles and similarities in their policies. He thinks he will need a week at most to complete his orientational task. He yesterday started an initial round, in which he received all the parliamentary leaders except Andre Rouvoet (ChristenUnie) and Bas van der Vlies (SGP), whose turn will come today.

Donner assumes that his assignment will be successful. "It would very much surprise me, and be a sign of the sad state of the democracy if a majority cabinet cannot be formed. " He does not consider it a problem that he previously acted as 'informateur' to bring together the present cabinet of CDA, VVD and LPF.