Dutch government resigns over childcare fraud scandal

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced the resignation of the government in a speech on Friday, saying that responsibility for the scandal „rests ultimately with the current government and not anywhere else.“

Under the scandal, about 10,000 families in the Netherlands were asked to pay back tens of thousands of euros in benefits after they were wrongly accused of childcare fraud.

Rutte gave his speech following the publication of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee’s report on childcare allowance, which he described as „extremely difficult, but fair.“

He pointed out that „at all levels in the political-administrative-legal system, mistakes were made that led to great injustice to thousands of parents.“

The Dutch prime minister has been clear that compensation for aggrieved parents is „the first thing that needs an adequate arrangement“.

„We will continue to work on prompt compensation and needed improvements for the future.“

He announced that elections to form a new government would take place in mid-March Until then, the current administration will remain and „can be expected to do what is necessary in the national interest.“

Rota had been in power for more than a decade, and took over in October 2010. If his party wins the elections within two months, it will be able to form a new administration.

Addressing the Dutch people, Rutte said, „Our battle against the Coronavirus continues.“