The Liberal democratic party D66 has reached an initial agreement to form a new Amsterdam coalition with the left-wing green party GroenLinks and is now looking for a third partner, the Parool says on Thursday.

D66 originally said the VVD Liberals were their preferred coalition partner.

Once GroenLinks and D66 have worked out a broad platform, Labour, the VVD and Socialist Party will be considered as potential third parties. Labour had been the biggest party in the city since 1946 but lost heavily to D66 in last month’s local elections. GroenLinks also lost support.

Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, right-wing populist party Leefbaar Rotterdam is continuing talks with D66, the VVD, CDA and GroenLinks. Labour and the SP have been ruled out by coalition negotiator Jan Kees de Jager.

Meanwhile, the NRC reports that Labour is leading the coalition negotiations in just 13 of the 383 local authority areas which elected a new council on March 19.

So far just 18 coalitions have been sealed, the paper said. The Christian Democrats have a leading role in forming a coalition in 80 council areas – far more than any other party.