A poll by Ipsos I&O has found that voters are “cautiously optimistic” about the chances of the new coalition succeeding but have doubts about the feasibility of the plans.

Some 50% of voters are “pleased” with the new four-party, right-wing alliance  but only 35% have “confidence” in it, the researchers found.

Yet despite the lack of strong support for the new alliance, voters are “clearly” happier about the prospects for the new cabinet than they were when the last ministerial team took office in 2022, the pollsters said.

Voters were most enthusiastic about plans to increase penalties for serious crimes – with 83% backing the plans. Some 79% support deporting failed asylum seekers and 73% said refugees with residency permits should not be given priority in social housing – which is not currently the case anyway.

However, while some 47% of those polled think the new approach to dealing with refugees in general will pay off, only 11% are confident that the next cabinet will be able to tackle climate change.

Fewer than one third also consider the new alliance will be able to tackle poverty, healthcare and the housing crisis while some 51% oppose the decision to increase value added tax on cultural activities and books.

The poll also found that almost one third of voters had confidence in Ronald Plasterk as prime minister. The research was carried out before he pulled out of the race.

However, Mona Keijzer, the number two in the BBB and whose name as also emerged as possible candidate, can only count on the support of 18% of voters, with 61% saying they would have no faith in her as PM.