Embarrassing message from De Jonge: MPs had to be 'punished in the afterlife'

Former Health Minister Hugo de Jonge faced the parliamentary committee of inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic for the second time this week. During the hearing, committee member Songül Mutluer revealed private audio and text messages in which De Jonge vented his frustrations about parliamentary oversight and his colleagues. In one instance, De Jonge expressed irritation toward MPs, stating they would be punished in the afterlife for distracting his ministry from crisis management. Another message showed De Jonge criticizing then-Interior Minister Kajsa Ollongren, labeling her a hindrance to the decision-making process regarding Covid entry passes.

De Jonge apologized for his harsh language, describing the messages as an outlet for high-pressure frustrations during an intense national crisis. He defended his actions during the pandemic, denying accusations of tunnel vision and asserting that the government remained steadfast in its mission to protect vulnerable citizens. De Jonge acknowledged that he was a demanding leader for his staff, emphasizing that the extreme workload was necessary to manage the unprecedented public health situation at the time.