THE HAGUE, 04/01/07 - Cabinet formation talks resumed yesterday at a secret location. Christian democrat (CDA) leader Jan Peter Balkenende, Labour (PvdA) leader Wouter Bos and Christian party ChristenUnie's AndrČ Rouvoet got together "somewhere in the Netherlands", said insiders.
According to the spokesman of informateur Herman Wijffels, the 'secret' talks are likely to continue to Friday. They are then expected to continue at the normal location: the Binnenhof parliamentary buildings in The Hague. Those involved do not rule out a press briefing by Wijffels on Friday.
According to an insider, the negotiators are not just discussing a cabinet accord at the secret location, but particularly want to first create a relaxed atmosphere, without pressure from the media. They are also staying on overnight.
In 2003, negotiations between CDA and PvdA broke down due to a lack of positive chemistry between Balkenende and Bos. The atmosphere has not been improved by the election campaign, in which CDA and PvdA attached each other fiercely.
According to one source, the party leaders will not immediately launch substantive negotiations. They will mainly be occupied this week with formulating a mission and motto for the new cabinet. It is expected that this will convey that after years of reforming policy, it is time to invest in the quality of society.
The party leaders have their seconds with them. For Balkenende, this is vice-party leader Maxime Verhagen, for Bos it is MP Jacques Tichelaar and for Rouvoet, MP Arie Slob. Civil servants from the general affairs ministry are providing support for the talks, which are chaired by Wijffels.
The negotiators are also to make agreements in the coming days on the degree of detail in the coalition accord. They will then try to make agreements on the main lines, and leave filling in the details to the new ministers. "But this will only be possible if there is sufficient trust," said a source.
The three leaders decided on joint negotiations on a coalition at end-December after the Socialist Party (SP) dropped out as partner for CDA and PvdA. These two parties are just short of a majority. A few days before Christmas, Queen Beatrix appointed Wijffels as informateur to guide the process.
Wijffels is a member of the CDA, and was until recently chairman of the Socio-Economic Council (SER). He is now an administrator at the World Bank in Washington. The three negotiators are trying to form a cabinet before the provincial and Upper House elections on 7 March.
