Ministers meet to discuss ‘what next’ after austerity talks collapse

A full meeting of the cabinet is taking place in The Hague on Monday morning to discuss what to do next following the collapse of austerity talks with the anti-immigration PVV.


Commentators say it is almost certain prime minister Mark Rutte will visit queen Beatrix on Monday afternoon to tender the resignation of his minority government.
At the same time, opposition party leaders have said they are willing to work with the government to draw up a 2013 budget in order to at least partly meet demands by Brussels that the budget deficit be reduced to below 3% next year.
There are just seven days to go before the Netherlands should submit its spending plans although there is some flexibility in this, Nos television says.
However, all opposition party leaders agree there should be elections as soon as possible – although under Dutch electoral rules this is unlikely to happen before September.
Labour leader Diederick Samsom said that while his party is willing to work with the cabinet, the government should first resign.
Earlier stories
Ministers, opposition to talk budgets as Brussels deadline looms
The election will be about Europe and the euro, says Wilders
The alliance with the PVV is over, what happens next?
Economists fear impact of austerity talks collapse
What had been agreed? State pension at 66 in 2015, VAT at 21%
Austerity talks collapse as Wilders walks out, election likely

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