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Christian Democrat MPs in Netherlands support alliance with anti-Islam

party BRUSSELS, Oct 5 (KUNA) -- The 21 ddeputies belonging to the Christian Democrat Party (CDA) in the Netherlands finally voted Tuesday afternoon in favour of forming a new coalition government alliance which will involve the anti-Islam Freedom Party, PVV, of Geert Wilders.
Earlier today the CDA had postponed the vote but later decided to hold the meeting of the deputies.
Two CDA deputies, Kathleen Ferrier and Ad Koppejan, who were against the alliance with Wilders had come under strong pressure to fall into line, according to Dutch media reports.
The CDA vote means that the next stage in the coalition formation process which is the appointment of ministers can now be taken. Acting CDA party leader Maxime Verhagen said after Tuesday's meeting that the party will take into account the fact that there is sizeable opposition to the alliance with PVV. Up to 68% of the delegates at the CDA congress on Saturday voted in favour of the alliance and 32% of delegates voted against the alliance with the PVV. (end) nk.ajs KUNA 051742 Oct 10NNNN