Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte is a very mysterious person. Being a dark horse, he was able to break through to the heights of political power, which was a real shock for his opponents. And now, seated on his prime ministerial throne, Mark Rutte is not going to bend under any of the existing forces.
Adolescence
Mark was born on February 17, 1967 in the city of The Hague, which is located in one of the provinces of South Holland. His parents were Isaac and Ermina Rutte - local large reformers. Mark was the youngest of seven children, and therefore the most beloved. Both parents and elder brothers and sisters nursed him.
Isaac Rutte worked as a representative of a large trading company. He devoted most of his life to the development of import supplies to Asian countries. Thanks to this, he received the post of director in one of the Dutch branches of the East India Company. As for Hermina Rutte, she worked as a secretary in a small company.
In 1979, Mark was sent to study at one of the local gymnasiums. In addition to a sophisticated education program, they also put emphasis on the creative development of children. Perhaps that is why in his youth, Mark Rutte became so attached to the piano. He even dreamed that in the future he would become a professional pianist and would tour the world with his concerts.
Student years
The future Prime Minister graduated from high school in 1985. After which he entered the University of Leiden at the Faculty of History. Here he proved himself to be a rather gifted young man, for which he received several awards.
However, Rutte’s stay at the university did not end with one study. In his first year of study, he joined the Council of the Youth Organization of Freedom and Democracy. And soon after this, Mark Rutte already becomes its chairman, and remains in this post until his graduation in 1992.
The beginning of adulthood
Upon completion of training, Rutte went to conquer the world of business. His first job was as a manager at Unilever. The first major victory was the participation in the reorganization program of this company in 1997. It was here that the huge potential of the young employee was noticed.
After that, he was immediately transferred to one of Unilever's subsidiaries, promoted to HR manager. Subsequently, Mark will move from one branch to another, simultaneously solving their problems. It ended only in 2003, when he was elected to the Netherlands Parliament from the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy.
Ascent to the political Olympus
The first appointment of Mark Rutte was the position of Secretary of State for Labor and Social Protection. During his two years in office, he was able to make a great contribution to the development of municipal welfare and labor safety at enterprises.
In June 2004, Mark Rutte became Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Science. After taking up a new position, he takes on the reform of the Dutch education system. First of all, the politician wanted to change for the better the quality of knowledge that students receive in universities. According to him: “We must do everything possible so that our graduates can easily triple to work not only in the Netherlands, but also in other European countries.”
Mark Rutte left the post of Deputy Education in the spring of 2006. The reason for this was the redistribution of power in his own party. As a result, the politician was in the favorites, and in May 2006 he became the new leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy. This victory was a triumph not only for Mark Rutte himself, but also for his associates. Indeed, it is this politician who will subsequently bring her to a potentially new level, overtaking all of her competitors.
As prime minister
In 2010, the next parliamentary election was held in the Netherlands. Thanks to the successful campaign of Mark Rutte, his party won 20% of the vote, which gave her 31st place in the general list. It was a success, since all his predecessors could not even reach 40th place.
However, much more important is the fact that the campaign of the politician pleased Queen Beatrix. Therefore, she soon nominates Mark Rutte for the post of Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Most members of parliament endorse this decision, and on October 14, 2010, it formally takes over.
Political beliefs
Prime Minister Mark Rutte has always adhered to the interests of his country. During the crisis, he imposed restrictions on unemployment benefits for immigrants. Later, he tightens the rules of entry in order to reduce the influx of illegal immigrants. And in the light of recent events, he insisted that the Netherlands sign an association with Ukraine only when they are sure that its inhabitants will not flood toward them, in the hope of finding a new home and work.
Mark Rutte: personal life
The politician has a very attractive appearance, and therefore many are surprised by the fact that he has not yet been married. Most likely, this is due to the fact that Mark Rutte is a workaholic. He gives himself completely to politics and the country. And therefore, he simply does not have free time for his personal life and relationships.