Rutte's possible departure to head NATO increases political uncertainty in the Netherlands. There is no precedent in the country's recent history for a chief executive to leave office without a prime minister having been elected to replace him.
If NATO approves his appointment without there yet being a Dutch Government, the problem would be political. Rutte announced in July 2023 his retirement from politics, after the breakup of the fourth coalition that he led consecutively since 2010. He said he would not stand for election again and that he would perhaps opt for teaching.