The leaders of the three right-wing parties who hope to form a new coalition government in the Netherlands on Wednesday refused to take part in a parliamentary debate on the issue.

Parliament is officially in recess for the summer break but was recalled to debate the decision of cabinet negotiator Ruud Lubbers to recommend a minority VVD and CDA government which will have PVV backing in parliament.
‘I understand the sour grapes but this is not the right moment for a debate,’ Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam PVV, said. VVD leader Mark Rutte and the Christian Democrat’s Maxime Verhagen also refused to answer questions.
Conditions

In return for agreeing to €18bn in austerity measures, Wilders has said he expects tough agreements on immigration, integration, public safety and care of the elderly. He will also be free to continue his campaign against Islam.
Left of centre MPs used the debate to criticise cabinet negotiator Ruud Lubbers for recommending a minority government, arguing that enough other majority cabinet options had not been explored.
Verhagen
CDA leader Verhagen came under particular fire for agreeing to join a coalition with the PVV.
After the June 9 general election, Verhagen refused to sit around the table with the PVV because of the party’s wish to introduce a tax on headscarves, ethnic registration and a ban on the Koran.
D66 leader Alexander Pechtold reminded Verhagen that four months ago he had accused Wilders of spreading hatred and damaging the reputation of the Netherlands abroad.
During a pause in the debate, Verhagen told Nos tv he had not compromised his principles. ‘That is why we are not discussing a majority cabinet,’ he said.
New negotiator
On Wednesday, queen Beatrix held talks with a number of her political advisors about Lubbers’ recommendations. He has nominated VVD chairman Ivo Opstelten as the next negotiator.
Opstelten will be the sixth formal negotiator involved with forming a government since the June 9 general election.