Fortuyn party under pressure on immigration

Murdered Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn's party was today under pressure from the Christian Democrat (CDA) party to soften its …

Murdered Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn's party was today under pressure from the Christian Democrat (CDA) party to soften its anti-immigration line in exchange for a share in power.

Before his murder last week, Fortuyn - whose three-month-old party came second to the CDA in Wednesday's vote - shook up The Netherlands by calling for zero immigration and branding Islam backward.

The head of the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) - which calls itself a non-ideological, issue-based party - said the CDA had a debt of honour to voters to include the LPF in government.

Queen Beatrix held meetings with the leaders of all 10 parties who won seats. As well as the LPF, the two dominant parties in the outgoing coalition, Labour and the VVD, acquired new leaders yesterday.

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After today's consultations, the queen will appoint an "initial mediator", usually from the biggest party, to talk to political leaders and report back to her. She will then select a "final mediator" to usher in the coalition and name ministerial candidates.

Mr Fortuyn made his political mark in March after his grassroots local-level party won a Rotterdam election and went on to form an alliance in the city with the VVD and CDA.