How do you become the longest serving Prime Minister of the Netherlands?
NOS News•
Next Tuesday, Mark Rutte can call himself the longest-serving prime minister of the Netherlands. He then stays in the Torentje for 4311 days; one day longer than the current record holder Ruud Lubbers, who stopped after eleven years and more than nine months.
It should not have a name, Rutte thinks. Before the summer recess he asks him to do something that he is the new one: “No, that title holder seat meat and a footnote”.
Don’t make things bigger than they are. And not only success, but also criticism in perspective. Those are important things for his success, say people who know Rutte well.
Much seems to be slipping away from him. Even now – partly because of the allowance affair, the difficult formation of the fourth cabinet and the nitrogen problem.
“Lightly included”, former D66 leader Alexander Pechtold zoom. “Don’t get angry easily, just a pleasant personality”, which matters to keep the relationships good. “Whether you have three seats and are in the opposition, or you are a strong political partner, it doesn’t really matter to him.”
Carola Schouten, for the second time ChristenUnie deputy prime minister in a cabinet of Rutte, expanded the previous councils of ministers that Rutte chairs as events. “And there is certainly a rust in it, with the occasional room for a joke.”
Otherwise, Schouten and Pechtold caused a hard worker to hide behind the facade of relaxed cheerfulness. “It always looks a bit casual Schouten”, “but you also notice that everything is well prepared”.
Was former PvdA leader Asscher right when he called Rutte as control freak described? “You can see that he is actually very well aware of the water that plays everywhere,” says Schouten. “Call it” control freak. But he has it all pretty sharp, yes.”
Pechtold would not be surprised if there was another Rutte V cabinet. So you really have to pay attention and don’t think: now it’s over. He wants vision for this country, from his vision for this country, from his vision, what intent, and is prepared to sacrifice.”
Rutte himself also believes that his best-before date is not yet in sight. “I feel like I’m halfway there,” he joked before the summer break. “But in all those years I’ve never had anything like: now I’ve had it. Not even a second. It’s the most beautiful job in the world. An incredible honor to be able to do this.”