Mark Rutte, with his old Saab, causes a lot of anger at Guido den Aantrekker, the editor-in-chief of the Story. He thinks it’s all very well made. “This is Prime Minister Pinocchio!”
He was once praised for it, but now it mainly causes annoyance: the ‘normal’ behavior of Mark Rutte, which is very much emphasized. The fallen prime minister drove to the king in his very old Saab on Saturday to offer his resignation. But why not just in his official car? That is obvious, say critics.
Bicycle and apple
Economist Randy Martens thinks it is very clear what is going on here. He tweets: “Every day with the official car but ‘coincidentally’ today with the old Saab. If everything revolves so strongly around imaging, then it is no wonder that policy has come to a complete standstill.”
Frans Weisglas, former chairman of the House of Representatives, argues that this is a pose. “The bicycle and the apple have been replaced by the old Saab. I’m starting to get annoyed with this would-be popular stuff. The situation is too serious for that.”
Guido is angry
Frans is right about that, says Story boss Guido den Aantrekker. “VVD icon Weisglas effortlessly pierces Prime Minister Pinocchio’s mannerisms.”
Lammert de Bruin, reporter for EenVandaag, thinks that’s silly. “If he is not allowed to use his bicycle or his car, how?”
Guido: “Service car with driver. The Saab is acting: ‘Look at me being no nonsense’. Journos work hard on it. No one hits him with that bullshit. Which news brand shows something real cojones to see? Take it by his (though they are small, I suspect).”
electoral gain
Journalist Ton F. van Dijk, the former boss of NPO 1, agrees with Guido. “Furthermore, a service car is compulsory for ministers, even when they go shopping. Because of safety. Why does this not apply to Rutte? He is a poseur if he uses his Saab for electoral gain.”
Guido: “So that.”
Marketing product
Columnist Jan Dijkgraaf, also the biographer of the Meilandjes, agrees with the criticism. “What Mr. Weisglas says. Rutte has turned himself into a marketing product.”
Radio DJ Jeroen van Inkel has a milder mood. “I have my car because I like the make and model. I like to drive it without wanting to interact with it. Maybe the Prime Minister too?”
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Mark in his Saab: