the longest-serving prime minister in the country’s history, Mark Rutte, quits politics

His decision ends the longest career as head of government in the history of the Netherlands. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced Monday, July 10, to leave politics. Nicknamed “Teflon” for having survived the various scandals that have rocked his four governments since 2010, the liberal right-wing leader (VVD) has declared that he will step down after the early legislative elections scheduled for this fall and caused by the collapse of his last coalition, due to internal disputes over the tightening of Dutch asylum policy.

Mark Rutte had assured Friday to still have “energy” to present himself as the head of his party’s list in the legislative elections in order to aim for a fifth term, but that he had to start there “to reflect on”. On Monday, he created a surprise by announcing his upcoming retirement from political life. “Yesterday morning, I took the decision that I am no longer fit to be again head of the list for the VVD. On the occasion of the inauguration of a new government after the elections, I will leave politics”he said in front of stunned deputies.

More than a decade at the head of the country

“I feel good, but of course it’s an important moment for me personally”, said the European Union’s second longest-serving head of government, after Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Mark Rutte, who is used to cycling to official meetings, will have led the Netherlands for more than a decade, during which he took care of his image of “Mister Everyman” in order to to attract voters. He was also a European stalwart who infuriated some southern countries with his tough line on bailouts, but won sympathy from other European leaders for his support for Ukraine.