Politicians wish Medical Care Minister well after resignation

Politicians in The Hague were surprised by Bruno Bruins' resignation as Minister for Medical Care. Many complimented him on his hard work and wished him well and good recovery.

Bruins resigned on Thursday after he collapsed during a parliamentary debate on Wednesday evening. In a statement, Bruins said he was no longer physically up to the task. He compared combating coronavirus to the highest level of professional sports. "And I have concluded that my body can no longer handle this due to exhaustion," he said.

"I want to say here that we have seen this man working very, very, very hard since he took office," Prime Minister Mark Rutte said to RTL Nieuws in response to Bruins' resignation. According to Rutte, Bruins made sure that the Netherlands could respond as well as possible to the events currently facing it. "He's been in charge of the whole process of getting it going. I want to thank him incredibly for that. I think it's incredibly sad."

"Struck by the news of my esteemed colleague Bruno Bruins' resignation," Minister Arie Slob for Primary and Secondary Education wrote on Twitter. "A lot of respect for everything he has done. A lot of strength and good recovery wishes Bruno."

"Today I heard that my colleague Bruno Bruins would step down," Minister Hugo de Jonge of Public Health, who will temporarily cover Bruins' position at Medical Care, said on Twitter. "A difficult decision. But health always comes first. Big thanks for all his hard work and I wish him a lot of strength."

"Very sad. Big thanks for Bruno's hard work. He gave it his all, but health comes first now," VVD leader Klaas Dijkhoff tweeted.

"Heroic and undoubtedly difficult decision. My admiration and gratitude for everything Minister Bruins has done for us," D66 leader Rob Jetten tweeted.

"Thank you Bruno Bruins. For everything you have done for the Netherlands lately," said GroenLinks leader Jesse Klaver.

"I have great respect for the difficult decision by Minister Bruins. His boundless commitment symbolized all the people who work day and night to deal with this terrible crisis. Much strength and recovery!" CDA leader Pieter Heerma said on Twitter. 

"It is a difficult time for everyone and certainly for a responsible Minister. I wish Mr. Bruins a lot of strength and recovery!" PVV leader Geert Wilders tweeted.