Prime minister Mark Rutte has told broadcaster NOS that he would prefer to see the current coalition – a four party combination of Rutte’s VVD, the Christian Democrats, D66 and ChristenUnie – remain in office.

‘That would be our preference,’ he said. ‘We can work well with the ChristenUnie.’

D66 leader Sigrid Kaag is not keen on ChristenUnie as the fourth party in the coalition because the staunchly Protestant grouping has braked D66 efforts to bring in new legislation on issues such as assisted suicide for the frail elderly who are tired of life.

Instead, Kaag has said she would like to see the Labour party and GroenLinks come on board – but neither Rutte or the CDA are keen on that option.

ChristenUnie too has been reluctant to put itself forward as a coalition party. Leader Gert-Jan Segers said again on Thursday that he saw the party playing a constructive role in the opposition rather than rejoining the coalition.

Coalition negotiator Mariëtte Hamer is meeting Rutte and Kaag on Friday afternoon. She has already been given more time by parliament to try to identify potential partners.