Dutch parliament to hold no-confidence vote on caretaker PM Rutte

Prime Minister Mark Rutte was the clear winner of last month's parliamentary elections. Losing a vote of confidence would delay the formation of a new coalition government and weaken his position as head of the conservative VVD party.

Opposition parties in the Dutch parliament on Thursday tabled a no-confidence motion in Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is trying to form a new government in the wake of March 17 elections.

Dutch outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the VVD party addresses the Parliament's Lower House during a debate in The Hague on April 1, 2021. (Photo by Bart Maat / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (AFP)

Rutte was the clear winner of last month's parliamentary elections. Losing a vote of confidence would delay the formation of a new coalition government and weaken his position as head of the conservative VVD party.

The no-confidence vote was to take place later in the day, after Rutte appeared in parliament to explain why he had told reporters he had not discussed a political appointment for one lawmaker, when it later emerged that he had.

Rutte denies having lied.

"I did not lie, I acted honourably and in good conscience", Rutte said in parliament.

Talks on forming a new government were abruptly put on hold on March 25 when one of the chief negotiators unwittingly revealed a sensitive document to a news photographer as she rushed out of parliament after learning that she had tested positive for Covid-19.

Rutte told reporters on March 25 he had not been the one to mention Omtzigt's position, but notes from talks given to parliament this week showed he had in fact mentioned it.