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Mark Rutte and May

By May-Britt Mobach | #!31Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:15:34 +0200+02:003431#31Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:15:34 +0200+02:00-3Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331 11pm31pm-31Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:15:34 +0200+02:003Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam2023312023Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:15:34 +0200153157pmTuesday=9#!31Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:15:34 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam7#07-11-2023#!31Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:15:34 +0200+02:003431#\/31Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:15:34 +0200+02:00-3Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331#!31Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:15:34 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam7#

It happened exactly eleven years ago. Why do I know that so well? Because I had just given birth to my youngest and on my first day back at work after my leave, still a bit wobbly on my hips, I was asked to join De Wereld Draait Door. Together with Jessica Durlacher, I got to say a few words about the speeches of the wives of presidential candidates. A ‘treat for me’, because I love powerful women who make a difference and I also got to sit opposite our prime minister. Mark Rutte, yes.

As expected in a conversation about the power of partners in politics, Matthijs asked me what it’s like not to have a partner. Like in the case of Mark Rutte. I didn’t expect this question and my answer came out full of hormones. ‘I think you either need to have an amazing woman, like Máxima,’ rolled out of my mouth, inadvertently suggesting that I thought Máxima and Mark made a nice duo. Our prime minister almost blushed, but a somewhat awkward laugh escaped his lips. ‘Or you have no partner, which also makes it very exciting and that can’t detract from your image.’ Mark laughed again. And I did too, suddenly feeling a bit awkward about what I had said to the prime minister. Luckily, a clip from Love Actually followed because I found Mark Rutte a realistic version of Hugh Grant and we parted ways satisfied.

We were even so okay that I actually asked him for a picture for the Look of the Day. And he did.

Politically, things haven't been going smoothly lately, and I also have concerns about the benefits scandal, about Groningen, the nitrogen problem, the housing shortage, and the asylum issue, but as a person, as a human, I will miss Mark Rutte.