Labour leader Job Cohen has called on all progressive parties and organisations to attend a protest event against Prime Minister Mark Rutte's centre-right government. The event, to be held in Amsterdam's Brakke Grond cultural centre on 16 January, aims to present "a different view".

Mr Cohen wants all opposition parties to form a united front against the cabinet, which comprises the pro-business liberal VVD and Christian Democrat CDA party and is backed in parliament by Geert Wilders' anti-Islamic Freedom Party (PVV). "This is not how we do things in the Netherlands. Things can be done differently", Mr Cohen told the newspaper de Volkskrant.

Three opposition parties Green Left, the D66 democrats and Socialist Party, have agreed to take part in the meeting. The Christian Union has declined the invitation to attend the event as it is to be held on a Sunday. A number of other organisations will attend, including the FNV and CNV trade union federations, religious organisation IKV and charity Cordaid.

A number of Dutch artists and entertainers will perform during the event.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide