http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/4297416.htm
The Dutch government collapsed Wednesday over a ministerial feud between followers of murdered populist Pim Fortuyn, paving the way for elections that could relegate his chaotic party to obscurity. The coalition of Christian Democrats (CDA), VVD Liberals and the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) crumbled after less than 100 days in office, the shortest-lived Dutch government since World War II. The collapse sparked fears a lame-duck caretaker cabinet would be forced to delay backing for the European Union's eastward enlargement at a key Brussels summit next week until a new government is installed in The Hague after fresh elections. But a Dutch government spokesman indicated the road to EU expansion would be unaffected once a caretaker government had secured parliamentary backing for the cabinet position. A minority government could also be formed to stave off further instability. The government's demise was precipitated by the resignation earlier Wednesday of LPF Deputy Prime Minister Eduard Bomhoff and Economics Minister Herman Heinsbroek, whose bitter differences have characterized their divided party. "There is no basis for further fruitful and sustainable cooperation within the coalition," CDA Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende told parliament before tendering the cabinet's resignation to Queen Beatrix. The LPF and VVD each had four ministers in the 14-seat cabinet formed in July. Polls show the party of shaven-headed gay maverick Fortuyn - who was gunned down only days before May elections - has hemorrhaged support since it swept into parliament and could face a drubbing in early elections expected within three months. A new opinion poll Wednesday showed the LPF could slump from 26 seats to four in a new election, with the VVD the biggest beneficiary as it climbed to 31 seats from its current 24. The CDA was seen adding six seats to its current 43. That would give the CDA and VVD a comfortable parliamentary majority between them, with 80 of the lower house's 150 seats. "I think voters have begun to regret the votes they cast (for the LPF)," said VVD leader Gerrit Zalm. "This shows how hard it is to work with a party that is constantly quarrelling." More On Site xponent The Apple And The Tree Maru rob _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
