**Mark Rutte: Dutch Prime Minister Who Stepped Down After 14 Years**
**Early Life and Career**
Mark Rutte was born on February 14, 1967, in The Hague, Netherlands. He pursued a law degree at Leiden University and subsequently worked as a personnel manager at Unilever.
**Political Career**
Rutte entered politics in 2002 when he was elected to the Second Chamber of the Dutch parliament as a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
Longest-Serving Prime Minister**In 2010, Rutte became Prime Minister of the Netherlands. He served four consecutive terms, making him the longest-serving Prime Minister in Dutch history.
**Controversy and Government Collapse**
Harsh Critic of Russia**Rutte was a staunch critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and played a leading role in international efforts to sanction Russia following its annexation of Crimea.
Migration Policy**In 2023, Rutte's government collapsed due to internal disputes over its migration policy. The VVD had proposed a strict quota on asylum seekers, which was opposed by other parties in the ruling coalition.
**Resignation from Politics**
Following the collapse of his government, Rutte announced that he would step down as leader of the VVD and leave politics. He stated that he wished to give younger generations a chance to shape the future of the Netherlands.
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