Dutch general election in November

Former Dutch prime minister Ruud Lubbers, who was appointed by Queen Beatrix to oversee the formation of a new government, expects a general election to be held on 22 November. Mr Lubbers says he should have finished preparations for Jan Peter Balkenende’s third cabinet by the end of this week, earlier than was expected.

The two parties which will form the new minority government, the Christian Democrats and the conservative VVD, do not want limits placed on their administration’s remit. The opposition parties, however, have told Mr Lubbers they reject the idea of the interim government introducing contentious legislation ahead of elections.

Source: Radio Netherlands, 4 July 2006