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Dutch coalition fails to agree budget after 15-hour talks; deadline looms
Dutch coalition talks collapse after 15-hour budget negotiations: opposition talks begin as deadline looms
Dutch coalition parties D66, VVD and CDA failed to reach an agreement on the 2027 budget after more than 15 hours of negotiations at the Ministry of Finance on Sunday. Talks resumed at 9 a.m. on Monday, with the budget required to be submitted to the Council of State by the end of the day to allow sufficient time for review before Prinsjesdag .
Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Finance Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz and CDA leader Henri Bontenbal are considering which opposition parties to engage for support, a decision that will shape next year’s policy, according to ANP. D66 and CDA do not want to exclude smaller parties like ChristenUnie but are also open to cooperation with the largest opposition party, PRO, which demands the removal of planned multi-billion social security cuts. A partnership with PRO would secure a Senate majority, while aligning with right-wing parties JA21 or SGP would leave the coalition short of seats .
In Romania, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) held a meeting in Sinaia on Monday to finalize its mandate for government formation talks at Cotroceni Palace. The party’s National Political Council convened at 11 a.m., followed by a parliamentary group meeting at 3 p.m. to set legislative priorities for the session beginning Sept. 1. President Nicușor Dan announced he would begin a new round of consultations with parliamentary parties in early September to form a government, warning that another failed nomination would send a negative signal to rating agencies as S&P prepares to review Romania’s sovereign rating. Sources cited by Digi24 suggest the emerging scenario involves a PSD-led government with an independent prime minister to secure broader support, potentially including UDMR .
Romania’s parliament has operated in hybrid sessions over the summer, allowing remote voting for PNRR-related legislation, but in-person attendance is required for a government vote, which has delayed the process. PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu stated the party is close to securing a majority but has not yet finalized it. President Dan previously indicated that a proposal by Sorin Tomac, had it passed months earlier, could have avoided the current political deadlock .
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