Netherlands sees worst riots in four decades over coronavirus curbs
- Police arrest 184 people after a third night of unrest in response to the government’s Covid-19 curfew
- Incidents in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and smaller Dutch cities are taking place just weeks before a national election
The Netherlands faced its worst civil unrest in four decades after a third night of rioting against a government curfew aimed at curbing the pandemic, just weeks before a national election.
Police arrested 184 people after incidents in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and smaller Dutch cities on Monday evening, news agency ANP reported. Caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday described the disturbances as “criminal violence”.
It is not yet clear what impact the unrest will have on elections scheduled for March 17.
Rutte’s government resigned on January 15 over a scathing report on child care benefits, making him the head of a caretaker cabinet until a new government is formed. That process could take months.
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Netherlands sees worst riots in four decades over coronavirus curbs
The latest opinion polls show that 53-year-old Rutte, who has enjoyed strong public support throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, is likely to stay on as premier as his VVD party consolidates its position as front-runner.
In Dutch politics, the largest faction in parliament takes the lead in forming a Cabinet.
