His days in the Netherlands seem numbered, but in Europe Rutte is actually powerful

Prime Minister Rutte's position in Europe is quite strong," observes EU expert Mathieu Segers, professor of European History at Maastricht University. "In Europe, a lot of value is placed on years of service. And Rutte has been there for a long time. Because of that length of service, he plays a central role in European Council and in European politics. Thus, he sometimes acts as an oilman between France and Germany."

"He feels well at home on the European stage, can manoeuvre well," says Segers. "If he ever changes his mind, there are several options in Brussels."

Read more (in Dutch) via MSM

Also read

  • Climate, war and resurgent nationalism: global cooperation is rattling on all sides. Yet Professor Mathieu Segers still advocates European leadership: 'When death and destruction are spreading, and there seems to be no more light, often the most brilliant plans emerge.'

  • For science does not happen only through the university, Marjolein van Asselt, outgoing professor of Risk Governance at Maastricht University, argued during her farewell lecture.

  • Bijzonder hoogleraar Taalcultuur Leonie Cornips ziet in ieder geval verregaande vormen van verbale en non-verbale communicatie tussen koeien onderling en de dieren en hun verzorgers.