Two new surveys published on Tuesday emphasis the lack of confidence voters have in Mark Rutte’s fourth cabinet, as ministers prepare to present their 2023 spending plans to the public.

Seven in ten people say they have little confidence in the cabinet, according to a survey by Ipsos for public broadcaster NOS while 80% of people in an I&O Research survey for the NRC are unhappy with ministers’ performance.

Prime minister Mark Rutte’s popularity has also taken a knock. Just 29% in the NOS survey say they have confidence in him, compared with 28% a year ago and 63% in 2020.

In the NOS survey, more than half of VVD and D66 voters do still back the cabinet, but six in 10 CDA and ChristenUnie voters do not. The NRC survey found only a majority of VVD voters support Rutte’s fourth administration.

‘We have never seen such a low satisfaction rating,’ I&O researcher Asher van der Schelde told the NRC. ‘A lot is happening at the same time: asylum seekers, nitrogen, migration, housing… and they are beginning to take their toll… People say the government is doing nothing.’

Some 77% of those in the NOS survey say ‘the Netherlands is heading in the wrong direction’. Almost two thirds say the energy crisis is to blame while 59% cite the shortage of housing.

In the NRC survey, over 80% are unhappy at the way the government is tackling the housing and energy crisis, 76% are angry at measures to combat inflation and 73% criticise the way ministers are tackling the refugee accommodation crisis.

EenVandaag

Saturday’s survey by current affairs show EenVandaag gave Mark Rutte’s fourth cabinet a score of no higher than 3.3 out of 10 and the support of just 15% of the population. In total, over 30,000 people participated in the online survey.

The childcare benefit scandal, the refugee and housing crises, spending power problems and the nitrogen pollution issue were among the reasons most often cited for the lack of faith in government.