adSep 7, 2026, 07:55

WATCH LIVE | Rutte defends Covid goal to prevent healthcare overload: ‘I would do it again’

Former Prime Minister Mark Rutte defended his cabinet's Covid-19 pandemic response before a parliamentary inquiry, insisting that strict measures were essential to prevent healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed. While standing by his core crisis management strategy, Rutte acknowledged that future decision-making should be more transparent and apologized again for the premature easing of restrictions in 2021.

Former Prime Minister Mark Rutte has concluded his second and final hearing before the parliamentary inquiry committee regarding his cabinet's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the testimony, Rutte stood firm on his fundamental choices, asserting that preventing the collapse of the healthcare system remained his top priority. He maintained that strict measures, such as school closures and curfews, were necessary to prevent a scenario where hospitals were overwhelmed, adding that he would make the same decisions again under similar circumstances. While he defended the overall strategy, Rutte acknowledged that decision-making processes could have been more transparent regarding dilemmas and alternatives.

Rutte also addressed the controversy surrounding derogatory text messages sent by former ministers Grapperhaus and De Jonge, downplaying their significance by describing them as a way to blow off steam during an intense crisis. Additionally, he offered a renewed apology for the rapid easing of restrictions in the summer of 2021, a policy known as 'Dancing with Janssen,' which he admitted was a mistake.

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Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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