On track to come back: Rutte's bloodless finale

Entire cabinet quits, as PM maintains social distance from benefits scandal.

The prime minister’s convoy, Dutch style

STILL RISING in the opinion polls, the majority VVD party appears well-served by prime minister Mark Rutte’s decision last week to submit his resignation on behalf of the entire cabinet.

This is an interesting way to win the election scheduled for March.

And one that seems to be working.

Rutte’s cabinet resigned on Friday January 15 citing the principle of collective responsibility, just days before the prospect of a no-confidence vote during a long-awaited parliamentary debate on the Belastingdienst tax scandal over the mistreatment of child benefit claimants.

Here’s that strategy, again.  

First, refuse all responsibility for mistakes. Do not apologise for mismanaging the Covid-19 pandemic and the slow roll-out of vaccines. Share the blame as widely as possible for the persecution of minorities by the tax authority in a slow-burning scandal over child benefit payments involving up to 20,000 families.

Second, change your mind when you’re ready. Acc…