The government’s popularity has fallen further with the public now giving the fourth Balkenende cabinet a score of 5.3 out of 10, down from 5.6 in June, according to a poll by the current affairs programme ÉenVandaag on Tuesday.

Half of those questioned said ministers are not doing enough for the weakest sector of society. This stance was particularly prevalent among Labour voters.
Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s personal score has also gone down and is now 5.4.
Wouter Bos seems to be more valued as finance minister (5 points) than as Labour party leader (4.6).
The current cabinet is made up of the Christian Democrats, Labour and the small orthodox ChristenUnie party.