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Analysts say Rutte and Samsom should be able to reach agreement, though some say they may need a third centrist party in a coalition because VVD and Labor together do not command a majority in the upper house of parliament, meaning they could have trouble passing new legislation. `'Politically, they should be able to strike a deal within days," said Adriaan Schout of the Clingendael think tank. `'They may want to show the public that they are fighting a bit harder and take some more time." Rutte, meanwhile, is sticking to his message that austerity is the best cure for the debt crisis. The fact that he managed to win despite that message is good news for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, another conservative leader facing re-election next year. "(I want) to enable this country to emerge stronger from this crisis, to continue to reduce our government's deficit, to continue to make our economy grow, to continue our upward trend," Rutte said. The election's biggest loser was Wilders, who soared to prominence with outspoken criticism of Islam before turning on the EU. He remained defiant, saying he would continue to fight "to protect the Netherlands against Europe, against mass immigration, against the (European) super-state."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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