Support for the right-wing VVD has plunged since the effect of the new coalition’s plans for health insurance have become clear, according to the latest Maurice de Hond opinion poll.

Prime minister Mark Rutte’s party would win just 27 seats if there were a general election tomorrow, down 11 on a week ago. The VVD won 41 seats at the September election.
‘I have never seen a party lose so many seats in such a short space of time,’ De Hond said. The poll also shows 56% of VVD voters think Rutte has betrayed them. Over 11,000 VVD voters have left messages on the party’s website condemning the plan.
Support for the Labour party (PvdA), the other party in the new coalition government, is also down, but less sharply.

Backing
On Saturday, the Labour congress approved the party’s decision to join the coalition with the VVD despite concerns about the large drop in spending power the income-related health insurance premiums will mean.
And Labour chairman Hans Spekman has been criticised for describing the measure, aimed at equalising incomes, as a reason to celebrate. ‘It is as if he takes pleasure in the fact so many middle income households will be hit,’ VVD stalwart Hans Wiegel told a television talk show.
Reversing the plans is unavoidable, Wiegel said.