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Rutte treated to ‘super sweet’ video and hug from Macron

by AI | 29.Jun 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The EU leaders bid farewell to their departing colleague Rutte with, among other things, a complimentary video. The French president Macron gave Rutte an elaborate hug.

Outgoing Prime Minister Rutte with, among others, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the EU summit. Photo: European Union

BRUSSELS – Departing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was sent off at his very last EU summit with a “super sweet” video and an elaborate hug from French President Emmanuel Macron. But that might have been premature, laughs the record-breaking prime minister after his 111th summit. “Maybe I’ll be back here on Monday.”

The 57-year-old Rutte will make way on Tuesday after fourteen years for the new Prime Minister Dick Schoof. His fellow leaders of the other 26 EU member states bid farewell Thursday at the EU summit in Brussels to the almost-nestor. With the usual artwork and a compilation of images of Rutte at those 111 summits, full of praise for the compromise-smith.

That video is “super sweet,” says Rutte afterwards. Not long after, he was interrupted by Macron, who came to hug him. “We are very sad because today we lose a great comrade. He was a great prime minister and companion.”

Rutte and Macron have built a close bond in recent years, whereas the Netherlands and France rarely teamed up together in the past. The two liberals could get along politically and personally well.

(June 28, 2024)