THE HAGUE, 02/12/06 - Labour (PvdA) MPs Mariette Hamer and Gerdi Verbeet want to be the Lower House Speaker. So far, there do not appear to be any candidates from the other parties.

The House is seeking a successor to Speaker Frans Weisglas, who left on Wednesday. His conservatives (VVD) appear to be putting forward no candidate. Insiders say the Christian democrats (CDA) are also hesitant, as this party is targeting the Vice-Presidency of the Council of State.

Candidates can come forward until the beginning of next week, after which they can present themselves in parliament and the House will make a decision. Hamer and Verbeet themselves have not yet come forward formally.

If the CDA, the biggest party, were not to demand the post of Speaker, there would be more chance of them capturing the Council of State Vice-Presidency. This is now held by PvdA member Herman Tjeenk Willink, but he is expected to resign next year.

The Council of State is both the highest administrative court and the most important advisor to the cabinet on proposed legislation. Queen Beatrix is its president. Former CDA Minister Piet Hein Donner (Justitie) is said to be a candidate for succeeding Tjeenk-Willink.