It will take a few more weeks before the new government of PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB takes the stage with King Willem-Alexander. New coordinator Richard van Zoll tempers expectations that now that the main lines agreement has been reached, the next stage in government formation will begin quickly. Van Zoll starts his job as coordinator next week and expects to be busy for “four to five weeks.” Therefore, the official start of government cannot be expected before the end of June, in the week of June 24-30.

Van Zoll confirms that the so-called program cabinet of the four parties “has a special character.” So the shaping phase takes longer,” he says.Van Zoll has been an informant for Elbert Dijkgraaf for the past eight weeks.

After the parliamentary discussion within six days, the coordinator will begin his work. Van Zoll has been asked about this. The coordinator is responsible for forming a government with a team of ministers.

Van Zoll has a full program after the debate on Wednesday. He must first agree with the leaders of the four parties on which party will receive the ministers and ministers of state. It must also quickly become clear what exactly these ministers will do.

A time-consuming side effect is that the intention is for half the ministers to come “from abroad.” The other half is made up of people with political experience, a proposal made by former whistleblower Kim Potters, which the four parties want to adhere to.

All kinds of names of potential candidates are being circulated, which other sources in The Hague have also denied. There is no level to raise yet. However, the name of VVD party member Ilko Heinen is regularly mentioned as a candidate for Finance Minister. The leaders of the four parties choose their candidates “in cooperation with the coordinator,” according to Van Zoll.

Then there is the issue of the intended candidate for prime minister. The name of PvdA member Ronald Plasterk has been in circulation for days, but PVV leader Wilders has yet to announce it. According to sources in The Hague, the friction between Plaisterk and National Security Council leader Omtsigt constitutes an obstacle to Plaisterk’s appointment. Umtzigt was upset by what he saw as Plasterk’s dirty work style as an informant and accused him of passing on information about financial setbacks too late.

Plasterk also revealed that Omtzigt used his official car to go to a hotel, where he announced his exit from the negotiations. Sources in The Hague say this car dispute must now be resolved. Plasterk took the first step on Friday by publicly apologizing to Umtzigt via a letter sent to De Telegraaf.

Another possible reason Plasterk was not appointed was a publication by the Norwegian Refugee Council on how Plasterk had applied for a patent for a cancer treatment. An investigation into this is ongoing.

Once Van Zoll and the four party leaders complete their list of ministers, they will still have to go to a hearing in the House of Representatives to answer questions about their suitability and motivations. This is the first time.

This is followed by the most festive day when the new ministers and the intended Prime Minister are invited to King Willem-Alexander. First, the swearing-in ceremony and then they go down the stairs to take the group photo on the steps of Noordeinde Palace or Huis ten Bosch Palace.

The new ministers must then develop the main agreement into a government programme, and that will not be easy either. The final date for this has not yet been announced.