The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, announced on Monday that he will leave politics after the general elections, still without a set date, and which were caused by the resignation of his coalition government.
The decision marks the end of more than 13 years in power in which Rutte led four governments often plagued by scandals that never directly affected the Conservative prime minister.
Rutte, 56, leader of the Popular Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), announced Monday during an urgent debate in parliament on the dissolution of the last government coalition.
“Yesterday (Sunday) I made the decision that I will not be available to direct the VVD again. I will leave politics when the new Executive takes office after the elections, ”he said.
Rutte said it was a “personal decision” given the “events of the past few weeks.”
The fourth coalition government led by Rutte resigned last Friday after disagreements and lack of agreement on immigration control measures.
Rutte said that the end of the coalition was a unanimous decision of the four parties that made up the alliance, marked by “irreconcilable differences.”
So far, Rutte’s successor has not been named as the leader of the VVD party.
The party’s most important faction is led by Sophie Herman, Rutte’s former adviser.
The date of the general elections has not yet been set but it is expected that they will be held in October or November.
Source: TSF
