BRUSSELS (ANP) – Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte assumes that the Netherlands will retain an important portfolio in the new European Commission. “I'm not worried about that,” Rutte said upon his arrival in Brussels to hold consultations on new candidates for top European positions. “The Netherlands is the fifth largest economy in Europe. This really puts us at the top. We are not as big as France and Germany. So the Netherlands can always make a strong case and will undoubtedly do so to get a big kickback.”
Rutte rejects the fact that there will soon be a government in The Hague with a completely different political color that other EU countries may view with suspicion. He added, “The new government will continue its path fully. In Europe, in NATO, with Ukraine, everything.” Rutte believes other EU countries will soon see “continuation”. Also, “a new prime minister is very well on the way.” According to Rutte, other countries find this exciting. “A former spymaster, as they say.”
According to Ruti, continuity is the most important thing. “This is also part of Holland. Because nothing changes here.”
Rutte said that European commissioner appointments would only be considered after four important positions were filled. It involves a new president of the new European Commission, a new president of the European Council, a new EU foreign policy chief, and a new president of the European Parliament.
