Tensions were high in Wednesday’s all-day coronavirus debate. A roll-call vote was requested but not enough MPs were present to be able to move forward with it. Opposition parties say the coalition MPs ran away en masse. The bill for better conditions for healthcare workers was once again rejected.
After votes were tied for each party, PVV leader Geert Wilders requested a roll-call vote for his proposal on better pay for health care workers. The vote was cancelled, as there were only 62 MPs still present in the building. A quorum of 76 is required.
Turbulence in the courtroom
Wilders and the other leaders of opposition parties reacted angrily when President Arib made the announcement that the vote would not be held. Geert criticised the opposition party saying, “The coalition has run away en masse, which is a shame.”
Groenlinks leader Klaver calls their leaving “downright undemocratic.” PvdA leader Asscher says it was “unheard of and disrespectful.”
Parliament member Van Meenen said on Twitter that it wasn’t a question of “running away.” The House determined that a roll-call vote would need more time.
Onzin! Dit is de regel die de Kamer zelf heeft vastgesteld over hoofdelijke stemmingen 👇 https://t.co/XHcnC1IRxl pic.twitter.com/Z78G642pjK
— Paul van Meenen (@Paul_van_Meenen) August 12, 2020
Better healthcare remuneration shot down
Before the recess, a motion for better healthcare pay was rejected after three votes. The proposal seeks better working conditions and pay for healthcare workers, who have been adversely affected by the working conditions presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chairman of the Dutch Association for Intensive Care, Diederik Gommers says, “Don’t expect us to be heroic if we can’t talk about this,” in an Op1 interview.
Follow DutchReview on Facebook for more Dutch news updates.
Feature Image: Screenshot/Tweede Kamer Debat Gemist
