And this was by no means obvious, he thinks. “Initially we had a lot of problems with Rutte’s two-facedness, especially in European affairs,” says Hammelburg. «In the Netherlands he has always kept the EU at a distance and underlined the autonomous position of the member states. But in the European Council it made other voices heard.’
In the Netherlands, he always kept the EU at a distance and emphasized the autonomous position of the member states
According to Hammelburg, that position has been reversed, and this is due to various points in Rutte’s career. The war in Ukraine, among other things, plays a big role in this, and especially the downing of MH17. “He still calls it the defining moment of his premiership, and he’s right about that,” says Hammelburg.
Seniority
Furthermore, the seniority that Rutte eventually acquired in the European Council also contributed, Hammelburg thinks. “If you stay still long enough, you become important to some extent,” she continues. “In the European Council – the body of the heads of government of the euro countries – Rutte was the most senior after the departure of the United Kingdom and German Chancellor Merkel”.
And that was reflected in many things, he says. Among other things, the way Rutte has been treated and addressed by other member states. “The Netherlands is obviously a small country, but a pretty decent player commercially,” she says. “The Netherlands is also listened to quite well during the UN General Assembly.”