Former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers began a series of meetings on Monday to investigate the chance of success for the formation of a new Balkenende government.

According to the Dutch media reports, Lubbers met with the chairpersons of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament on Monday morning. He also had talks with the leaders of all the political parties over the course of the day.

Queen Beatrix appointed Lubbers, a former Christian Democrat (CDA) prime minister, as informateur on Saturday to investigate on behalf of the crown whether a minority coalition between the CDA and Liberals is likely to succeed.

Both parties have indicated they want to continue in a minority government under Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende after junior coalition party, D66, withdrew its support for the second Balkenende Cabinet last week.

The current Balkenende government was due to run to May 2007 but the country will now go to the polls in November.

The main task for the possible new Balkenende government will be to introduce the 2007 Budget in September this year.

The CDA and Liberals say it will also be important to have a proper government rather than a powerless, caretaker administration in place when 1,400 troops join the international mission to Afghanistan in August.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2006)