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Dutch Prime Minister Rutte Leaves Politics

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

THE HAGUE (Worthy News) – Dutch conservative-liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte, one of Europe’s longest-serving government leaders, said Monday he would leave politics after his cabinet collapsed over the weekend.

“In recent days, there have been speculations about what motivates me,” the 56-year-old told a special Parliamentary session. “The only answer is the Netherlands [motivates me]. My position is irrelevant. Yesterday morning I decided that I would not be available again as party leader of [my] VVD [party]. After the elections, when a new cabinet will take office, I will leave politics,” Rutte added with notable emotion. “Yesterday afternoon, I informed my party and fraction chairs about my decision,” he said.

The stunning announcement came after his four-party coalition failed to agree on a policy to reduce the number of asylum seekers entering the Netherlands.

He said it was a unanimous decision by the four partner parties prompted by “irreconcilable differences.”

His decision also meant the end of more than 13 years in power for the conservative-liberal leader sometimes called Teflon Mark, as scandals that plagued his four different administrations did not stick to him.

Rutte’s current coalition, in power since January 2022, was his fourth consecutive administration since he became prime minister in October 2010.

PUBLIC PRESSURE

He is also the longest-serving prime minister in the history of the Netherlands despite numerous scandals. Rutte called his decision to leave politics a “personal decision, regardless of the developments in recent weeks.”

He had faced public pressure after significant scandals, including when Dutch tax authorities wrongly accused thousands of families of fraudulently claiming child welfare payments.

Many parents faced bankruptcy after being ordered to repay childcare allowances, leading to divorces and even suicides due to the strain.

Following accusations of racial profiling, the tax authority admitted that 11,000 dual-nationality families were singled out for particular scrutiny.

Rutte’s leadership style was also blamed for other perceived scandals, such as the failure to compensate thousands of people suffering from earthquakes due to extensive natural gas exploration in Groningen province.

More recently, he came under pressure over the massive influx of migrants and failed agreements with farmers fearing for their livelihoods due to strict nitrogen rules.

WHO’S NEXT?

Yet, with Rutte gone, there was no immediate indication on Monday who might replace Rutte as leader of the conservative-liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)

The party’s parliamentary faction is led by Sophie Hermans, Rutte’s former political assistant, but she faced questions about her leadership style following emotional outbursts.

No date has yet been set for the election, but it is not expected before October or November, according to sources familiar with the government’s thinking.

Despite the controversies, the VVD could still emerge as the largest or second largest party, polls suggested, due to the notorious fragmented Dutch political landscape.

The VVD faces a major challenge from the new BBB or BoerBurgerBeweging (FarmerCitizen Movement), which recently became the largest party in the Senate.

In a turnaround, its leader Caroline van der Plas said that she was ready to be prime minister when asked but reiterated that it is not her “first ambition.”

Dutch commentator Johan Th. Bos said without Rutte, a more rightwing cabinet could become a reality. “Rutte says he leaves for personal reasons. But I think the BBB made it clear to him that they did not want to be part of a coalition under his leadership. Without Rutte, there are more chances for a rightwing government which could include the VVD, BBB, and even the [anti-Islam] PVV party.”