The Christian Democrats, anti-Islam PVV and right-wing VVD Liberals will hold their third day of exploratory talks about forming a new coalition government on Wednesday.

The three party leaders Maxime Verhagen, Geert Wilders and Mark Rutte have had nine hours of informal meetings so far and are refusing to comment on any progress in public. The talks are being held at a secret location.
Cabinet negotiator Ruud Lubbers, who asked the three to get round the negotiating table, is not present at the meetings, nor are any party advisors, the Volkskrant said on Wednesday.
Minority
The paper said speculation is mounting that a minority cabinet between the CDA and VVD could be on the cards – which would have the express support of the PVV in parliament. That would allow the CDA to avoid a formal alliance with the anti-Islam party and let Wilders concentrate on the provincial elections next spring.
According to the NRC, Verhagen has also said the CDA could give support to a minority government made up of the VVD and PVV.
A minority government would involve reaching agreement on a number of essentials, such as government cuts and reforming social security and healthcare. But other controversial areas – such as reforming redundancy law – could be left out or agreed with other parties, the Volkskrant says.
Power
Nevertheless, some say a minority government would give Wilders too much power, because he will be able to pick and choose which bits of government policy to support and will also be able to bring down the government if he wants to.
Wilders, due to appear in court for inciting racial and religious hatred in October, has always said he is prepared to support a minority right-wing government.
The NRC says meetings between the three leaders are set to continue all week and that Lubbers hopes to be able to brief the queen shortly.