New elections in The Netherlands? 

Vice prime minister, Mr Eduard Bomhoff, and Economy minister, Mr Herman Heinsbroek, resigned this morning following the loss of confidence of the Lijst Pim Fortuyn (LPF). The reason for the crisis is internal struggles within the LPF. New elections thus now seem unavoidable. Liberal leader Gerrit Zalm (VVD) wants new elections before the end of the year, possibly half December, or continue in a minority government with the christian democrats (CDA).

The most recent elections took place on 15 May 2002 whereby newcomer LPF became the second largest party. Its leader, Mr Pim Fortuyn, was slain on 6 May 2002 in the first political murder since 1672 (see

EurActiv 7 May 2002). The Balkenende Government, under the leadership of Mr Jan-Peter Balkenende, a relative newcomer in active politics of the Christian Democrats, had started its work on 22 July 2002.

Time-saving overviews:

• Country Dossier:The Netherlands

Press articles:

BBC ,CNN Volkskrant ,Algemeen Dagblad .