Mark Rutte, the longest-serving PM in Dutch history, announces retirement

July 10, 2023 9News Nigeria Hot News 0

Rutte, who has led four coalition governments since 2010, announced the collapse of his current four-party coalition on Friday, following internal disputes over the tightening of Dutch asylum policy.

“On the occasion of the investiture of a new government after the elections, I will leave politics,” he told parliament on Monday.

He also made it clear that he would not head the list for his centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

Rutte said he would remain in office on an interim basis until the general election, which, according to the Dutch electoral council, won’t take place until mid-November at the earliest.

But Rutte faces a vote in parliament later today, with the opposition seeking to unseat him as interim prime minister.

Two left-wing opposition parties and Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom have tabled a motion of no confidence in Rutte.

To succeed, the motion must be supported by at least one of the four parties in Rutte’s coalition.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo paid tribute to Rutte in a Tweet, stating: “Thanks for everything, Mark. Not only the Netherlands is going to miss you.”