Updated: 6:42am – Prime Minister Bill English has tried to call Winston Peters, but has had no response.
Bill English would like to have preliminary discussions because there’s ‘quite a complex process to be worked through’.
English expects to have a better idea of what Peters is after by the end of the week but he said waiting for the specials to be counted could mean it’s a bit of a stretch to form a coalition.
“We’ve done three coalition agreements each one of them’s been different, they’ve all taken a while and I don’t think the special [votes]will make much difference.
“By the end of the week he’ll have a reasonably better idea of what amounts to what he requires, we all have a pretty clear idea of what’s going to help a strong government.”
English hasn’t ruled out a deal with the Greens but said it would be unlikely.
“The Greens have consistently said a vote for them was a vote to change the government, and by that I think they mean to a Labour-Greens government.
“It does look like a big shift from them to seriously be negotiating just with National.”
English is waiting ‘for an indication’ that the Greens would be willing to negotiate.
-NewstalkZB
