President of the Chamber informs King of the Netherlands after Rutte’s resignation In tears – another witness describes abuse by Hollywood star Spacey

King Willem-Alexander receives parliament speaker Vera Bergkamp in Huis ten Bosch palace near The Hague on Monday evening. The royal house said they had asked the meeting to inform the head of state about the political situation after the cabinet fell and Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced his withdrawal from politics on Monday. Rutte had offered the king the resignation of the cabinet and discussed the situation with Willem-Alexander in Huis ten Bosch on Saturday.

The House of Representatives held an extraordinary session on Monday, during which Rutte surprisingly announced his resignation. In a new election, he would no longer be available as a candidate for his right-liberal VVD party for a fifth term and would retire from politics, Rutte said.

The opposition had previously threatened a vote of no confidence against the 56-year-old. During the debate, which lasted until late in the afternoon, Parliament discussed, among other things, which important projects should not be postponed until new elections.

A date for the new elections has not yet been set. But we’re talking mid-November. Since the ballot box in the Netherlands is usually rung on Wednesdays, the date could be November 15. If agreement is reached, Willem-Alexander can announce the election date and accept the resignation of the cabinet. This has not happened yet. (sda/dpa)