The opposition parties in the Netherlands – the Labor Party (PvdA), the Green Left (GL) and the Freedom Party (PVV) – welcome the decision of Prime Minister Mark Rutte not to run for a fifth term in the upcoming elections, and also to withdraw from politicians.
⠀
Rutte announced his decision to retire from politics on Monday morning, a few days after the collapse of the coalition government, consisting of four parties: the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), which he himself leads, as well as the Democrats 66 (D66) , the Christian Democratic Appeal Party (CDA) and the Christian Union Party (ChristenUnie). At the same time, Rutte said that he would act as head of government until the early elections scheduled for November.
⠀
The head of the Freedom Party, Geert Wilders, called Rutte’s departure a “brave decision”, adding that he respects Rutte’s efforts for the good of the country.
⠀
“I would have made a different choice in almost everything, but I’m convinced that he thought he was doing his best for the Netherlands,” Wilders said.
⠀
The head of the Green Left, Jesse Claver, called Rutte’s departure from politics a “historic moment” and also expressed respect for the prime minister’s decision. Attje Kuyken, leader of the Labor Party, said she has mixed feelings about Rutte’s departure: on the one hand, she believes that the prime minister recklessly plunged the government into crisis, but on the other, she is grateful to him for years of leading the cabinet.
⠀
In addition, it is reported that Rutte’s departure was welcomed by other opposition parties: the Movement of Farmers and Citizens (BBB), Denk (Denk) and the Socialist Party (SP).
⠀
The Dutch government collapsed on Friday evening after a final meeting dedicated to solving the problem of the migration crisis in the country. It was reported that the government parties were able to agree on labor migration and the migration of highly qualified specialists, but the parties failed to reach a consensus on measures to reduce the influx of asylum seekers. After the failure of negotiations, Rutte announced that he was submitting a petition to the king for the resignation of his government.
