Speech | 30-06-2024
Good afternoon,
I noticed a photograph of myself within the newspaper the opposite day from my early days as prime minister. That was barely confronting. Let me put it this fashion: I’ve gained just a few gray hairs and a few wrinkles since then. And I additionally hope for a bit extra seniority. However that’s virtually inevitable. After virtually 14 years and greater than 5000 days on this job. It has flown by. I believe everybody above a sure age recognises that. How there are moments in life if you realise: how rapidly time flies and the way a lot has occurred. For me, that is a type of moments.
In just a bit whereas, my time as your, as your, Prime Minister will probably be over. I admit, that feels unreal and it additionally makes me really feel melancholy. However that actually doesn’t prevail right this moment. Now that the Torentje has been cleared away for my successor, I look again with gratitude on a really particular and intensive time. I’ve been capable of expertise essentially the most lovely issues up shut, but additionally the saddest and most tough occasions. As Prime Minister, you’re within the privileged place that you’re given the chance to make a distinction in any respect these moments, to do one thing good. I hope that I’ve succeeded in doing that at times. And naturally I want my successor, Dick Schoof, each success.
One of the crucial necessary issues I discovered as prime minister is that doing all your greatest and doing the whole lot proper are two very various things. After which I instantly consider the advantages scandal and the earthquakes in Groningen. So much went unsuitable there beneath my duty and I take that personally.
I’ve had so many conversations with individuals who don’t really feel secure in their very own houses. With mother and father who’ve misplaced the whole lot due to the federal government. With younger individuals who advised me outright that their childhood has been taken away from them. And I guarantee you, a lot injustice and unhappiness crawls beneath your pores and skin. These conversations will all the time stick with me.
However as a politician, and definitely as a primary minister, you aren’t employed to simply have regrets. If issues haven’t gone properly, you need to put them proper – that’s your job. I’ve tried that – we now have tried that as a cupboard. It’s and stays deeply irritating that issues aren’t going sooner. On the similar time, I belief that our successors will proceed on the trail to restoration that has been taken. And extra importantly, that the folks of Groningen and the allowance mother and father can depend on that. To them I say: if I might want for one factor right this moment, it will be that your issues and worries could be over as quickly as potential. In an effort to transfer on. That’s what I want for you.
Up to now weeks and days I’ve in fact usually thought again to these first years. The Netherlands was in the midst of a severe financial disaster. We are able to hardly think about it anymore, however round 2012-2013 there have been as much as 15,000 extra unemployed folks monthly. The deficit on the nationwide funds exploded. And so we needed to change course, with essentially the most drastic reforms and cutbacks ever. Looking back, it’s a small miracle how rapidly we climbed out of that deep valley. And I’m nonetheless pleased with how we did that as a rustic.
Collectively.
With entrepreneurs and unions.
With municipalities and provinces.
With everybody within the nation
And with broad political help, together with from events that weren’t in authorities.
All of it occurred in one of the best Dutch custom of session, smart compromises and never working away from duty. That’s really distinctive to the Netherlands. And it is very important maintain on to that. As a result of collectively you’re stronger than alone.
And I discovered that lesson once more, at a very totally different time in a very totally different context. Particularly across the assault on MH17. In just a few weeks will probably be 10 years in the past. Ten years already, and but so shut.
Everybody remembers the heartbreaking photos of the our bodies returning residence in Eindhoven. The countless procession of hearses, accompanied by 1000’s of individuals alongside the route. And later the spectacular Nationwide Remembrance within the RAI. For me personally, MH17 is maybe essentially the most profound and emotional occasion of my complete premiership. I’ve all the time tried to be a help for the family.
However MH17 additionally modified my private view of the world. Much more than earlier than, after MH17 I spotted how necessary it’s for a rustic to not stand alone in a world filled with unrest and threats. How nations that work collectively additionally defend one another. And the way essential it’s that our nation is embedded within the European Union and NATO. One take a look at the world map makes that clear. I am going to say it once more: collectively you’re stronger than alone. Particularly now, with a battle only a few hours’ flight from our nation, that thought ought to encourage us to proceed to help Ukraine. For peace there and safety right here.
And sure… If you enter your final weeks and days, you’re usually requested the identical query. Which occasions, which moments from these virtually 14 years will stick with you essentially the most? What made the largest impression? It’s really inconceivable to provide a brief reply to that. As a result of how do you select from so many? However let me attempt right this moment.
I already talked about MH17 – that was so large, it would by no means go away me. However I additionally consider the second once I apologized for the actions of the Dutch authorities throughout the Holocaust. And with the commemoration and celebration of Keti Koti tomorrow, I naturally consider the apologies for the slavery previous. These are moments when, as Prime Minister, you can also make a really direct connection by giving recognition. With all of the emotion that that unleashes. Not as an individual, not as Mark Rutte from The Hague, however as a consultant of one thing larger – a rustic, a society. That will all sound a bit solemn coming from me, however that’s how I actually felt and skilled it. It’s a nice honor that I used to be capable of fulfill that position on just a few events.
After which there was corona. I nonetheless bear in mind how I sat tensely right here within the Torentje for that first TV speech on March 16, 2020, simply earlier than seven o’clock within the night. Not understanding what was coming our method with corona, however that it will be mega-big and drastic. It is in all probability an excellent factor that we did not know at the moment that this rollercoaster trip would final 2 years. Two years during which many individuals misplaced a cherished one, with all of the grief that does not simply go away. Two years during which life was additionally very tough in different respects – for some, to at the present time.
Corona affected the whole lot. Our well being, our social life, our work and earnings. It affected the way forward for our younger folks. It was a time of loneliness for too many individuals. And it additionally left its mark on society, which has not been simply repaired.
Inevitably, I, we as a cupboard, have made errors within the strategy. It can’t be in any other case. On the similar time, I believe that many good and exquisite issues have occurred in society throughout this era. The folks in healthcare delivered an unprecedented efficiency.
In firms, the hospitality business, faculties, associations, museums and theatres – everybody made one of the best of it. And in all places spontaneous initiatives arose to assist, help or consolation one another. That can also be the Netherlands. You know the way I really feel about that.
The Netherlands is a cool nation. I admit, I’ll have stated that a few times too usually. However that is as a result of I imply it, from the underside of my coronary heart.
There isn’t any battle right here. Within the Netherlands you could be who you’re and love who you need. We’re affluent. And our democracy is robust. Not solely as a result of we are able to vote freely – at the very least – each 4 years. But in addition as a result of within the Netherlands you can also make it loud and clear should you disagree with one thing. And we now have a free and significant press and impartial judges. So sure, a cool nation.
And there may be one factor I do know for positive after virtually 14 years as prime minister. It’s in folks. Individuals make a rustic. That’s how I’ve been capable of do the work all these years by myself, as a result of I used to be supported by super-smart, professional and hard-working civil servants. That’s what I wish to say once I say goodbye. Moreover, as prime minister, I’ve met numerous folks all through the Netherlands, younger and previous. And likewise on the Caribbean islands, that are a part of us. I’ve gotten to know many organizations and associations. I’ve seen essentially the most lovely museums and attended performances. I’ve seen our navy personnel in motion on missions overseas – deep respect for what they do. And I have no idea what number of firms I’ve been capable of look behind the entrance door, from the smallest start-up to the most important manufacturing manufacturing unit.
And I let you know, we now have a rustic that’s bursting with creativity and entrepreneurship. With onerous work after which having fun with it to the fullest. And luckily additionally a rustic with a wholesome aversion to hierarchy and extreme poshness. However above all we’re a rustic of volunteers, casual caregivers, good neighbors and greatest mates. After all there may be additionally grumbling generally. That can also be the Netherlands. However when it comes all the way down to it, we stand round one another and assist one another.
Immediately I can subsequently solely repeat what I stated in the beginning of the corona disaster. Handle one another. I’m relying on you.
I felt honored to be your Prime Minister, and I did it with unimaginable pleasure.
