What Rutte’s departure from the scene means for the Netherlands and for the EU

After thirteen years of Mark Rutte, the Netherlands has experienced seventy-two hours of upheaval, which has profound implications for national policy and that of the European Union. Friday Rutte took everyone by surprise by pulling the plug on government, after a crisis with coalition partners on family reunification of refugees. It was thought that it was yet another cynical move to revive his fortunes, with the aim of staying candies after the elections in November. Rutte surprised everyone again on Monday morning by announcing that he will leave politics when the new government will be in charge. “There has been speculation over the past few days as to what my motivation was. The only answer is: the Netherlands,” Rutte told the House. “I have decided not to be available as leader of the VVD in the next elections.”