Wednesday, 10 February 2016 - 13:45
Dutch PM in “panic” over Correspondents Dinner; Drunk, sleepless nights
Prime Minister Mark Rutte has to give a speech at the Correspondents Dinner on Wednesday night in which he must show his funny side. And despite the fact that he often gives speeches, he is quite nervous for this one, he said to 3FM DJ Giel Beelen just hours before the dinner.
"I'm in a total panic!" the Prime Minister said, somewhat mockingly. "I've been sleepless for days. Chaos, sleepless nights and too much alcohol! My life is about to collapse."
A number of Ministry officials helped him write the speech, as well as some professional. "They helped me so incredibly beautifully, that I'm going to ruin tonight."
He would not comment on the content of his speech, but promises that it will not be serious. "The point is that we have a nice evening. If the speech is about the influence of Plato on Christian thought or the inter-general solidarity, I don't believe I'll get the hall to laugh."