Support among people in the Netherlands for the Dutch government and their coronavirus policies is declining, a new survey reveals. 

Little confidence in Dutch government coronavirus policy

The survey, conducted between August 12 and August 18 by research agency Markteffect for the AD, asked 1.077 people in the Netherlands for their views on the government’s approach to the coronavirus measures. More than 40 percent of respondents said they had no confidence in the government and National Institute for Public Health and Environment’s (RIVM) policies. In March, it was only 15 percent. 

The survey also revealed that support for Prime Minister Mark Rutte is falling. In March, 64,9 percent of respondents were (very) confident in him and his decision making. This has now fallen to 45,2 percent. Furthermore, over 30 percent of those questioned had little faith in him, and almost a quarter felt he was not the right man for the job.

A growing divide 

The reason for the lack of confidence is split sharply in two. 43 percent of respondents felt the RIVM and the government were not taking enough action to battle the coronavirus. On the other hand, 33 percent felt they would not be in favour, and would have little or no understanding, of the introduction of stricter measures at this point. 

This divide in opinion is also growing. Back in March, less than 22 percent of people felt the government were not doing enough, and less than 17 percent felt the measures in place were too restrictive.

Who supports the government?

Supporters of coalition parties (CDA, VVD, ChristenUnie, D66) are, on the whole, more supportive of government policies - around 80 percent of voters trust the government and the RIVM. However, PVV and Forum for Democracy are less supportive - around 70 percent don’t support current policies. In general, PVV supporters believe the government should adopt a stricter approach.

Furthermore, support for government policy appears to be more prevalent among people earning higher salaries. Those who are disabled or unemployed expressed more criticism.

People living in the north of the country, where there has been fewer coronavirus cases, also had more confidence in the government and their policies in comparison to people living in the west or the south.