Dutch elections set for Nov. 22

AMSTERDAM, July 5 (Reuters) The Netherlands will hold general elections on November 22 after the collapse of Jan Peter Balkenende's centre-right government, an adviser to Queen Beatrix said today.

Balkenende was expected to be named by Queen Beatrix, head of state, to form a caretaker government which will consist of the two main coalition parties, Balkenende's Christian Democrats and the free-market VVD liberals, Ruud Lubbers, a former prime minister, told a news conference.

The government will not have a majority in parliament, but can count on former junior coalition partner D66 to support passing a 2007 budget, Lubbers said.

Balkenende tendered his government's resignation last week after D66 quit over the handling of a Somali-born legislator's citizenship by the immigration minister.

Reuters PKS GC1753