Disappointing in the short term, insofar as the emerging narrative "even the self-righteous Dutch can't actually deliver austerity" was a powerful one.

But what's next? Are we are still on track for elections in September, or will a new coalition emerge? Are the left campaigning against austerity? Are the three bigger parties of the left capable of governing together?

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II}