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Alexander Pechtold, the leader of D66, shakes hands with Edith Schippers, who leads formation talks | Jerry Lampen/AFP via Getty Images

Government formation talks resume after first attempt to form coalition failed.

By Cynthia Kroet

5/22/17, 3:24 PM CET

Updated 5/22/17, 3:32 PM CET

Alexander Pechtold, D66s leader, suggested that two parties from the left theSocialist Party (SP) and the Labor Party (PvdA) should jointhe exploratory talks, instead of the conservatives.But the leaders of the SP and PvdA have ruled out working with the Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the center-right party of incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte, making such a formation likely.

The Netherlands has been without a government sincea general election on March 15.

The Dutch parliament last weekreappointed Edith Schippers, the center-right outgoing health minister, to lead the coalition formation process after an earlier attempt to form a government failed.Schippers said she wanted to start a fresh round of talks on Monday, and has held meetingswith party leaders.

The first potential coalition partners were the VVD, the Christian Democrats (CDA) as well as D66 and the Green Left. At least four parties will beneeded to reach a parliamentary majority of 75 seats in the 150-seat parliament.

See more here:
Dutch liberals call for five-party coalition government - POLITICO.eu