The former politician leading Cabinet formation talks, Ronald Plasterk, said he believes the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB should continue discussions in another round of talks. At the same time, he said the parties were largely unwilling to make compromises. Several political parties responded to Plasterk's written report on the talks to say a new approach is needed. The issue will be debated in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Parliament, on Wednesday.
A group of left-wing and left-center political parties said they remain frustrated with Cabinet formation leader Ronald Plasterk, saying he “did not respond to the specific questions” they posed. They said on Thursday they want to explicitly know whether the parties which could form a new coalition government have already reached an agreement about safeguarding the rule of law.
A popular political proposal to eliminate the health insurance deductible in the Netherlands would cost each resident about 300 euros per year, said caretaker Health Minister Ernst Kuipers. The motion to cancel the own-cost portion of health insurance, known as eigen risico, would end up helping those who actively receive healthcare at the expense of those who do not, Kuipers wrote in a letter to parliament last week.