Mark Rutte appears for second COVID-19 inquiry hearing

Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is appearing for a second time before the parliamentary inquiry commission investigating the Netherlands' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This hearing marks the beginning of the ninth and final week of public testimonies.

The commission is currently focusing on the theme of governing during a pandemic, specifically reflecting on past actions and looking toward future preparedness. The inquiry aims to gain insight into the cabinet's decision-making processes and the functioning of the House of Representatives during the crisis. This parliamentary inquiry is the fifteenth of its kind in the Netherlands since World War II.