Captain
METERArk Rutte will always remember me as the captain who, despite some sailors in his crew taking the lead with the lifeboats, stubbornly continued sailing. Considering how his memory sometimes went haywire, it’s a miracle the ship stayed on course. But what I will remember most is that he arrived at port as an ‘overly cheerful captain’ despite all the inconveniences at sea.
Willem Vizee tiel
Mormon Choir
I literally ran into Mark Rutte. The Salt Lake City Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed at De Doelen in Rotterdam in 2016. During the break, I met him on the stairs on my way to get coffee. He is wearing jeans, an open shirt and sneakers. I told him it was good that he appreciated good music and he agreed, like “yeah.”
Aart van Herpen Papendrecht
Two state solution
Rutte has sparked mixed feelings in recent years, mainly negative ones in the last year. Blowing up the cabinet was unnecessary, but helpful for her career. In October, Rutte quickly expressed his support for Israel and stood by it. He used childish language: “Israel is in danger of being wiped off the map.” I plan to stay close to the American position and not jeopardize his career. His trip to the Middle East was useless, but not to attract attention. The Netherlands left the Palestinians, and therefore Sigrid Kaag, in the cold, with the boring mantra “we are for a two-state solution.”
Jan burger Leusden
Hoodie
It would have been in the winter of 2012. On a cold, rainy winter morning I was driving along the Hoofdweg in Veenhuizen. As I pull into the driveway, a jogger in a hoodie passes by. I lower the window to see better and the runner stops. He lowers his hood, damn it, it’s Mark Rutte! I wave and he waves with a wide smile and continues on his way. Mark spent a few days in the prison village to attend some guest lectures at the Burton Academy, which Klein Soestdijk was then using for a year-long study in leadership and personal development.
John de Lange Onderdendam
Memory
Friends and enemies smile when they remember Rutte’s tenure as prime minister. He always got his way. Well spoken, always smiling and greeting everyone. His joviality will be very useful in his new challenge in NATO. Even the king thanks the longest-serving prime minister. The image that Rutte transmits is not bad. But as the inhabitants of Rotterdam say: “Deeds, not words.” So Mark Rutte: train your memory, keep your promises and realize that people will ask a lot of the new NATO Secretary General.
Jannie Groeneveld Raalte
Wheelbarrow full of frogs
I see Rutte as a happy person, bouncing along an endless farm road. He trails behind a wheelbarrow full of jumping frogs, but along the way he is able to keep these green croakers inside his vehicle while he whistles. Together they head towards a big question mark. By the wayside: Smoking ruins in the shape of Groningen, the issue of social benefits, problems with receipts, memory problems.
An ultimate political goal remains a question mark, but his talent for keeping frogs in the wheelbarrow has allowed him to remain in office for a long time. It is precisely this talent that will make him one of NATO’s most memorable Secretary Generals. I think Putin will follow closely. Things are not going well between the two, especially since MH17. This drama has become a personal project that Rutte has committed himself to and I believe he will not let it go in the future.
Atie Klaver Neighborhood near Duurstede
poverty situation
Rutte’s policy has economically harmed many ordinary citizens; in fact, a situation of poverty has been deliberately created. A gap that I and many ordinary citizens consider inhumane.
Marinus van Zwam Gilze
for the patch
Mark Rutte prided himself on not expressing a vision and was blamed for it. But he deceived us because he was nothing further from the truth. It was the embodiment of favoring multinationals. If we had to choose between favoring has or the does not have then invariably became the has. He would rather pass the bill to the little man.
Black Els Nijmegen
sworn friend
It would have been around 2008. I was walking with a friend at the Battle of Wassenaar. We had a good lunch at De Badmeester. At a further table sat someone who looked very familiar to me, but I couldn’t remember where I knew him from. At one point I approached him and asked: “Aren’t you Jur, my brother’s friend?”
“Well,” he said, “I may be friends with your brother, but my name is Mark.” At De Badmeester everyone knew who he was. My girlfriend laughed so hard I didn’t understand it. I felt very embarrassed, but it was also very funny. It was at a time when he was actively involved in politics, but not yet as prime minister. When she left, she said hello very kindly.
Bernie de Bie Utrecht
Just act normal yourself
During the 2011 general deliberations, Wilders did not distance himself from PVV member De Roon, who had called President Erdogan an “Islamic monkey.” Geert Wilders scolded Mark Rutte with “Be normal, man.” He replied: “Be normal yourself.” The two often dueled each other. Rutte decisively took up the fight against discrimination, even when Wilders criticized the dual nationality of Minister Dilan Yesilgöz.
The Prime Minister considered this to have “violated basic standards of decency” and spoke of “unacceptable behaviour.” Rutte did not “recklessly collapse his cabinet” as claimed. When the possible victory of an international position arose, the armed-to-the-teeth politician Rutte strategically captured the position of NATO Secretary General. This victory is highly appreciated by the combative Prime Minister.
Bert Luijendijk K.tearing the IJssel
captains of industry
The photo of Rutte in the Catshuis with the “captains of industry” is indicative. Whether it was ground subsidence in Groningen, particulate matter in Tata, pfas in Chemours, noise pollution in Schiphol or nitrogen: citizens and the climate missed the brunt. The fact that the next cabinet may be even more impactful does not necessarily lead to a retroactive appreciation of the Rutte cabinet.
Martin Koelewijn From Bilt
Dislike
Perhaps I admire our country’s longest-serving Prime Minister? No. I have no admiration for Mr. Rutte, I only feel disgust. A Prime Minister who prided himself on having no vision and who has systematically demolished our country to its foundations. A man who constantly and consistently lied to himself and continued to get away with it. He could devote himself to his affairs without commitment from him. I simply feel deep disgust.
Jan Kleinjan Zwolle
