The number of new infections in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Leiden is not going well. After the cabinet announced that additional measures were to be taken, Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned on Thursday during the second day of the General Political Discussions against the rapid rise. The House of Representatives demands clarification about the testing policy and source and contact research that squeaks and creaks.
The number of new infections in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Leiden is not going well. After the cabinet announced that additional measures would be taken, Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned on Thursday during the second day of the General Political Discussions for the rapid rise. The House of Representatives demands clarification about the testing policy and source and contact research that squeaks and creaks.
“It is time to turn the tide. We have to reverse the trend,” said Rutte.
The Prime Minister is concerned about the large increase in the number of infections, especially in the age category 20 to 24 years. He sees that the number of hospital admissions is now also increasing. “In some hospitals, patients have to be moved.”
Rutte: ‘Voluntary where possible, mandatory where necessary’
The warning is reminiscent of the situation at the beginning of the crisis. Rutte also said that the reproduction number is currently at 1.4. “This means that it can lead to a doubling in a short time.”
The cabinet announced on Friday that it would come up with new measures. Which they are has not yet been announced. “We work according to the principle that measures are proportional. Voluntary where possible, mandatory where necessary,” said Rutte.
Marijnissen: ‘The cabinet should no longer feel attacked’
Lilian Marijnissen (SP) and Lodewijk Asscher (PvdA) have been warning the cabinet for some time that the contamination figures are going in the wrong direction. The two leaders on the left wonder how it is possible that there is not enough test material and that the source and contact research (BCO) is no longer carried out by the GGDs. The cabinet itself has said that the testing policy and the bco are the foundation for effective containment of the virus.
“The cabinet should no longer feel taken by surprise”, Marijnissen noted. She understands that it was difficult at the start of the crisis, but believes that six months after the outbreak, the cabinet should have been better prepared. “We knew we needed more test equipment. We knew there had to be more laboratories.”
Asscher: ‘Cabinet is losing sight of virus’
Asscher: “The cabinet is losing sight of the virus or it may have already lost.” He too is cracking the test policy. The cabinet is now asking people not to have themselves tested if they have no complaints, but according to the PvdA leader, Rutte is thereby masking the fact that the cabinet cannot get the testing capacity in order.
He fears that a second wave will lead to a second lockdown with dire economic consequences. “The budget plans can be thrown away if the cabinet fails to prevent a second wave.”
Not only the opposition is critical, D66 also finds the Prime Minister’s explanation insufficient. “The best economic support package is to prevent a second wave.” Rob Jetten wants to know when the cabinet “has everything in order”. “Other countries are succeeding in purchasing more tests. In order to purchase laboratory capacity on time.”
Rutte is looking for support from GroenLinks and PvdA
On Tuesday, the cabinet presented the budget plans that have been substantially altered due to the corona crisis.
Because the cabinet cannot count on a majority in parliament, the prime minister is explicitly seeking support from PvdA and GroenLinks.
The left-wing parties are critical of the plans, but are open to support if the cabinet is prepared to move in their direction in areas of the housing shortage, rent increases and the support package. When it comes to doing something about the rent rises, the prime minister sees room to talk further with the opposition.
Also the wish of Asscher, who asks for support for the third support package, to ensure that people who are at risk of losing their job are first guided to another job. Although Rutte finds this complicated, he wants to discuss it further with the PvdA.
Strong criticism of ‘new gift’ for business
The prime minister found it more difficult to convince the PvdA, GroenLinks and the SP of an investment discount worth 2 billion euros for the business community. According to the cabinet, this so-called BIK is a temporary crisis measure to give companies room to continue to invest, but the three opposition parties fear a structural tax advantage for large companies.
The three parties are already comparing the measure with the much-discussed dividend tax. This eventually fell through, after which the cabinet had in mind a reduction in the profit tax, but that plan also failed to make it to the finish line. The left-wing parties fear that the latest proposal of exactly 2 billion euros will amount to the same kind of compensation for the business community.
The cabinet does not appear to be planning to move in the direction of the opposition on this theme. The BIK is really necessary, according to the Prime Minister. He invites all parties to critically monitor the implementation of the regulation during the legislative process.
