Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Friday narrowly won a no-confidence vote over claims that he lied about coalition talks.
He was supported by the two main parties that formed part of his previous coalition, the centre-left D66 and centre-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), while all opposition parties voted against him.
Speaking to parliament after the no-confidence vote Rutte said he would continue as prime minister and would work extremely hard to regain trust
Rutte, though surviving one of the biggest political fights of his decade, will however remain under pressure after every party except his own supported a separate motion in parliament condemning his behaviour.
Rutte, whose VVD party won the most seats in elections last month based on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, was accused of covering up efforts to rein in an outspoken MP during coalition negotiations.
Rutte has survived a series of scandals and no-confidence votes in the past, earning him the nickname in the Netherlands of the “Teflon Premier”, after the non-stick frying pan coating.
He is one of Europe’s longest-serving leaders after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Hungarian premier Viktor Orban, and will become the Netherlands’ longest-serving PM if he is still in power at the end of 2022.
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