D66 has decided to enter coalition talks with Hart voor Den Haag in The Hague. The parliamentary group reached the decision after an appeal from exploratory negotiator Ahmed Aboutaleb. He urged the party to start talks with Hart voor Den Haag leader Richard de Mos.
D66 had previously opposed cooperation with Hart voor Den Haag. However, Aboutaleb made what the party described as an urgent appeal last week to reconsider its position.
Hart voor Den Haag and D66 are the two largest parties on The Hague city council. Together they hold 24 of the 45 council seats, which is enough for a majority. Hart voor Den Haag has therefore pushed for a governing coalition with D66.
D66 initially rejected that option and said De Mos should first negotiate with the VVD, DENK and the CDA. That grouping would also control 24 seats.
D66 now says it will enter talks with Hart voor Den Haag “openly and seriously”. De Mos said last Friday that he wants negotiations to begin as soon as possible. Aboutaleb will act as formateur and lead the talks.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
