PM Rutte does not want to succeed Tusk as EU president

Prime Minister Mark Rutte is not available to succeed Donald Tusk when his term as EU president ends next year, the Prime Minister said on Friday, NOS reports

On Friday morning Rutte's VVD colleague Frits Bolkestein said to the Volkskrant that Rutte would do well to succeed Tusk. According to the former European Commissioner, it is in the interests of the Netherlands for Rutte to accept this "crucial function" in the European Union. He also said that Rutte as "binding figure" has the capacity to fill this difficult role

Rutte called Bolkestein's faith in him "incredibly sweet", but he is not available for the time being. "I'm going to finish this period", he said, referring to his term as Prime Minister in the Rutte III government.

In December website Politico Europe named Rutte as top candidate for the position of EU president. Back then Rutte also said that he has no ambition to succeed Tusk.