Would a Christian Democrat / LPF coalition work?
There are differences – the Christian Democrats, like the LPF, support further integration of the Netherlands’ ethnic minorities and tighter immigration controls but not to the same extent as Fortuyn’s followers. Mr Balkenende has voiced distaste with the Dutch policies allowing euthanasia, same sex marriages and tolerance of soft drugs. He has said he will not attempt to repeal laws on euthanasia and same sex marriages (though he may attempt to close the cannabis-selling coffee shops) but the ideological differences between the two parties on these issues may not always make for an easy fit. There were questions how durable a government with the Fortuyn faction would be. “Until now the [LPF] is not been very stable,” one of its new MPs, Maxine Verhagen, said. “Opinions change and people leave.” Some analysts have predicted that coalition will collapse in less than two years and lead to fresh elections.
