Attitudes in negotiations for a new cabinet have hardened during the second week of talks, insiders told the Dutch press on Thursday evening.

Anti-Islam PVV party leader Geert Wilders is not as flexible as at first thought on cuts to social security. Christian Democrat Maxime Verhagen and the Liberal VVD’s Mark Rutte have less in common than expected.
Wilders agreed last week he would support the €18 bn in public savings cuts the Christian Democrats and Liberals want to make. Now details are being discussed, he insists on being at the negotiations and has so far not agreed with plans to cut unemployment benefit and redundancy payments.
The Christian Democrats want to keep basic student grants while the Liberals want to change to a loan system. In health care, something Wilders wants to ring-fence, there are fundamental differences between the two parties aiming to form a minority government.
If negotiator Ivo Opstelten’s aim of forming the new government in three weeks is to be met, agreement must be reached by next Friday. Insiders say the chances of that happening are slim.