Dutch coalition talks halted after positive coronavirus test
Preliminary discussions to map out the contours of the next Dutch governing coalition have ground to a halt after one of the two officials leading the talks tested positive for the coronavirus
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Preliminary discussions to map out the contours of the next Dutch governing coalition ground to a halt Thursday after one of the two officials leading the talks tested positive for the coronavirus.
The government information service said that meetings planned for Thursday in the Netherlands were canceled following the positive test result for Kajsa Ollongren, who is also caretaker interior minister and deputy prime minister in the outgoing coalition.
Ollongren is the second member of Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s Cabinet to test positive this week, following state secretary for economic affairs and climate Mona Keijzer. Rutte, who oversaw a Cabinet meeting on Friday, has tested negative.
The coalition talks are expected to take weeks or months. Rutte’s conservative VVD party won the most seats in an election last week for the lower house of parliament but will need to enlist other parties to gain a majority in the 150-seat legislature.
Two coalition “scouts” had been scheduled to meet Thursday with Rutte and Sigrid Kaag, leader of the centrist D66 party that finished second in the election.
The government information service said officials are looking into “how and when the talks can resume.”
Rutte has attempted to inject urgency into the talks amid rising infection rates despite a tough nationwide lockdown in the Netherlands, where more than 16,500 people are confirmed to have died of COVID-19.
The government information service also said Thursday that although Cabinet meetings can be held in person with social distancing, they will as a precaution be held digitally.