After spending 14 years in the saddle as Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte left the office on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, riding a bicycle.
Mr Rutte became the Prime Minister of Netherlands in 2010 and left in 2024, after the collapse of his coalition government and following his retirement from national politics.
Netherlands Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mr Karel van Oosterom, who announced the development on his X handle, said it was an emotional moment when the prime minister moved out of the office and left for home on a bicycle.
Displaying photographs of the retiring prime minister when he was leaving the office, the ambassador said he was seen off by the new Prime Minister, Mr Dick Schoof.
In the photographs posted by the ambassador, the former prime minister was seen in a jovial mood, mounting his bicycle and exchanging pleasantries with the new Prime Minister and other government officials.
Before Mr Rutte left, he witnessed the swearing-in of his successor and immediately after the end of the swearing-in ceremony, he came outside, mounted his bicycle and left for home.
The ambassador wrote: "This is the Netherlands. Our Prime Minister of fourteen years leaves office. On a bicycle.
"We have a new government in the Netherlands, led by our new Prime Minister, Dick Schoof."
Below are the screenshots of his posts on the issue: