Informateur Tjeenk Willink continues discussions with party leaders

On the afternoon of Tuesday, 6 June 2017, Informateur Herman Tjeenk Willink held discussions with party leaders Mark Rutte (VVD), Sybrand van Haersma Buma (CDA) and Alexander Pechtold (D66) regarding continuing the process of forming a new government. The meeting was held in the Stadholder’s Room in the House of Representatives. Earlier in the day, the Informateur held discussions with Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks) and Gert-Jan Segers (ChristenUnie).

On his first official workday – Wednesday, 31 May 2017 – Informateur Tjeenk Willink met with outgoing Informateur Edith Schippers regarding the negotiations that she presided over since 29 March working towards forming a new government. He also held discussions with party leaders Mark Rutte (VVD) and Sybrand Buma (CDA). The following day, discussions were held with party leaders Gert-Jan Segers (ChristenUnie), Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks) and Alexander Pechtold (D66). On Friday, 2 June 2017, Tjeenk Willink held a joint discussion with party leaders Mark Rutte (VVD) and Sybrand Buma (CDA).

Informateur aiming for a majority government

In a press conference held in the Former Plenary Hall on Wednesday, 31 May, Tjeenk Willink indicated that he is steering towards a majority government that could count on sufficient support in the Senate and House of Representatives. He also stated that he would remain in contact with all parties regarding the formation of the government. The Informateur specifically invited five party leaders for discussions: Mark Rutte (VVD), Sybrand Buma (CDA), Gert-Jan Segers (ChristenUnie), Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks) and Alexander Pechtold (D66).

On Tuesday, 30 May, Speaker of the House of Representatives Khadija Arib officially presents Tjeenk Willink with his assignment as Informateur.
On Tuesday, 30 May, Speaker of the House of Representatives Khadija Arib officially presents Tjeenk Willink with his assignment as Informateur.

Assignment

On Tuesday, 30 May, Speaker of the House of Representatives Khadija Arib presented Tjeenk Willink with his assignment as Informateur. The official presentation took place in the Stadholder’s Room. On Monday, 29 May, Edith Schippers submitted her final report. Schippers believed that a new Informateur was necessary, as ‘thus far, every proposed variant of a majority coalition was met with objections from at least one of the involved parties’.

On Tuesday evening, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the new Informateur met to discuss the latter’s assignment: the House is keen for him to explore the feasibility of a majority or minority government that can count on sufficient parliamentary support.

On Tuesday, 30 May, the House of Representatives debated the continuation of the government formation process. Following the debate, a motion was carried appointing Minister of State Tjeenk Willink to continue in the role of Informateur.