Holland's Queen Beatrix began discussions today with the leaders of the 10 parties that won sets in the new parliament, elections that could lead to an easing of the Netherlands' tough immigration policy.
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, whose Christian Democrats emerged with a plurality of votes in parliament in Wednesday's poll, was first to visit the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague.
Balkenende became prime minister in 2002 and presided over a reversal in the Netherlands' tradition of welcoming new immigrants.
His conservative government made it more difficult for foreigners to become Dutch citizens and began deporting thousands of people whose applications for asylum had been rejected. Just days before the election, the government announced it would ban head-to-toe Islamic robes such as the burqa.
But after voters turned to left-wing parties in elections this week, Balkenende will likely have to form a coalition with left-leaning parties, such as Labor, which have demanded a more tolerant approach to migrants.
Dutch news agency ANP, which compiles the country's unofficial election results, said Friday that Labor had won one more seat than previously announced, taking its total to 33 seats in the 150-seat lower house. The gain came at the expense of the Socialist Party, which dropped to 25.
The change came after authorities counted the votes cast by mail, and after a re-count of ballots in the city of Eindhoven. The Dutch Electoral Commission is expected to announce the official result Monday.
Speaking before the new results were announced, Labor leader Wouter Bos said Balkenende should discuss forming a coalition with the Socialist Party, which made dramatic gains Wednesday, before it talks to Labor.
Labor, which had 42 seats in the outgoing parliament, should proceed cautiously, he said, adding: "A party that lost 10 seats should be modest."
The Christian Democrats and Socialists would still need the support of another party to form a majority.
AP