No surprise as Mark was looking for an exit and try to benefit his party for timing and topic: close the border to asylum seekers. He failed at the European level.

Mark Rutte, the Netherlands' longest-serving prime minister, said he will leave politics after the next election. Rutte's four-party ruling coalition resigned Friday after failing to agree on measures to rein in migration. [_link]

— The Associated Press (@AP) July 10, 2023

The one moment a vote of confidence could have passed ... opposition got wet feet as Rutte himself came with announcement: "I did some soul searching this weekend." Rutte ends with a bucket full of lies and plenty of corpses left behind in the closet at "het Torentje".

Rutte stops as party leader VVD and announces departure from politics

Mark Rutte leaves politics. In his statement prior to the debate on the fall of his fourth cabinet, he said that he would not be the leader of the VVD again. He still wants to stay on as outgoing prime minister until after the elections when there is a new cabinet.

"There has been speculation in recent days about what would motivate me. The only answer is: the Netherlands," Rutte said. "My position is completely subordinate to that. On Sunday I decided that I will not be available as a leader for the VVD in the upcoming elections."

Such a nice chap ... looking for a corporate position in London HQ.

Amnesia and Gaza Genocide