Opposition very critical about corona approach, ‘cabinet has failed’

The House of Representatives is debating today with Prime Minister Rutte and Minister De Jonge about the partial lockdown they announced yesterday. It will also concern the intended mouth masking obligation. Opposition parties understand the measures, but also strongly criticize the cabinet.

According to PVV leader Wilders, the cabinet has “made an incredible mess”. He thinks that too little attention is being paid to aerogenic contamination (via the air), says that too much cutbacks have been made in hospitals and fears that the catering industry will fall, now that a week-long closure has been announced.

“Today’s measures are needed,” says GroenLinks foreman Klaver. “But how unpleasant it feels that we have arrived here. This has everything to do with the laissez-faire attitude of the cabinet, failing testing policy and lack of central direction.”

SP leader Marijnissen believes that the cabinet has “collided with its own indecision at full speed”. The approach so far has failed in her opinion. “Strong measures are now inevitable. The number of infections must decrease really quickly.

‘Precious time wasted’

Asscher of the PvdA states that valuable time has been wasted. “I finally expect a convincing approach from the government, in the interest of our health and economy.” In the debate, he wants to propose a new economic package to help sectors such as the hospitality industry, sports and culture in this difficult period.

Party leader Jetten of coalition party D66 is also critical of the cabinet. “I would have thought it strong if the Prime Minister and Minister De Jonge had shown some more reflection and had indicated: as a government, we had not had that testing well enough in order in recent months, and that is one of the reasons why we are now in this situation. have ended up. “

Political reporter Xander van der Wulp thinks that Prime Minister Rutte will face a difficult debate on his ten-year anniversary – he was given the key to the Torentje on October 14, 2010. “The image arises that he is a bit behind the facts. As far as I am concerned, those masks are a symbol for that.” But as a cabinet you can never actually do it right, he adds. “If you pay too much attention to public health, you may harm the economy too much and vice versa.”

Prior to the debate, RIVM director Van Dissel will update the House of Representatives about the approach to the corona virus. The debate in the Chamber starts around 3 p.m. and can be followed live via NPO 1, NPO Politiek and NOS.nl.

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