Mark Rutte: Dutch Prime Minister to Quit Politics After Government Collapse

Rutte, a Long-Serving Leader, Has Been a Harsh Critic of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

His Support of Ukraine and His 14-Year-Stint at the Top of European Politics Earned Him Candidacy Endorsement

Mark Rutte, the long-serving Dutch prime minister, announced on Monday that he would leave politics after his coalition government collapsed. Rutte, who has served as the Dutch prime minister for nearly 14 years, has been a harsh critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has been endorsed as a candidate for NATO chief.

Rutte's government collapsed on Friday amid infighting over migration, with the more centrist members of his four-party governing coalition refusing to back more generous asylum policies. This led to the resignation of several ministers, including the justice minister and the foreign minister.

Rutte said he would stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new government could be formed, but he ruled out leading the country in the next election. He said he was "disappointed" that his government had collapsed, but he said he respected the decision of his coalition partners.

Rutte is a controversial figure in the Netherlands, with some praising his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and others criticizing his handling of the country's migration crisis. He has also been criticized for his close ties to the business community and for his support of austerity measures.