Maud Rutte

Rutte at the 2245 Pyongyang Conference

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**Maud Rutte** is a Frisian-Danish politician who was served as the eighteenth Premier of Neo-Europe, from January 2243 until May 2264, serving for over 21 years. Born in Nordica to Frisian (and Danish) parents living in exile, she is the second Premier born out of Neo-Europe (following Konstantin Smirnov) as well as the first related to another Premier, being Catherine Van Helsing.

## Early Life

Rutte was born to the ethnic Frisian, **Lucas Rutte** (2157-2262), grandson of former Premier Catherine Van Helsing and the Dane **Ida Pedersen** (born 2156), as an only child.

From late 2184 until early 2186, she and her parents moved to New York to spend time with Catherine Van Helsing, fearing her death was close. Van Helsing saw potential and honesty in the infant Rutte, and hoped she would do great things in the future. Rutte attended her funeral as a toddler.

She graduated from Aarhus University in 2205 with a degree in Journalism. She worked as a freelance journalist well into the 2230s, with her work published mainly in Unified Nordic

## Campaigning in Nordica

As she was born into a prominent political family, Rutte was involved in campaigning against Tekin's regime from a very young age

## Return to Neo-Europe

Ernest Jackson formally announced her as his running mate just prior to their return to Neo-Europe.

Their return was safe and instead of hostility, were met with cheers.

### Election

She was elected Vice-Premier in 2239 on a double ticket with Jackson, gaining an overwhelming majority.

## Vice-Premiership

Unlike most previous Premiers, Jackson did not sit in the Neo-European Commons, even after the Commons was formally established a year into his Premiership. As a result, Rutte stood in as his key representative. This was, however, not a full time position as Federal Government members are not constitutionally bound to sit in parliamnent, although traditionally they do so. As it was not a full time position, Rutte did not represent a constituency. Confusingly, as a member of the Federal Government, she was permitted to attend sessions but was unable to vote on legislation within the house.

Overall, Rutte served a rather active role in her time as Vice Premier, often standing in for the aged Jackson and was seen as the one truly making policy. This was not something they hid from public knowledge.

## Premiership

In January 2243, Rutte became Premier by default following Jackson's expected resignation. Little else in the Federal Cabinet changed, and the role of Vice-Premier remains vacant.

### Completing Jackson's Tenure and first full term

#### Mission to the Centauri System

Space Cruiser Hayat was inherited to Rutte's government through Tekin, and she expressed interest in continuing the Space Program.

## Personal Life

Rutte married Dane **Malthe Anker** (born 2183), an indirect descendant of Nordican wartime Commissioner Svend Anker in 2209. Ironically, Comintern propaganda often depicted their ancestors, Commissioner Anker and Premier Van Helsing, as lovers during the Third World War (although no such affair occurred). She decided not to take her husband's name, inspired by her Great-Grandmother (despite Rutte herself sharing the surname of her Great-Grandfather and Van Helsing's husband, Geert). They had a son, Viktor, in 2215, before divorcing in 2217. They remained friends and even continued to campaign together against Ekrim Tekin throughout the 2220s. Rutte has not remarried since but has had some brief relationships. She has admitted that 'relationships are difficult as Premier' but insists she is happy as she is.

Rutte became a grandmother in 2246; the child, named Geert, was born with some basic genetic modification and was conceived via IVF, although only minor things were altered. Viktor, his partner Klara and Geert split their time between London and Copenhagen.

## Ideology

Her policies have been described as 'moderately liberal' and 'right of centre', as well as 'anti-Tekin.' While open to scientific experimentation, she has made public her worries of humanity relying on technology and 'losing what it means to be human.'

Socially, she has shown both traditionally liberal and conservative leanings; she proposed an extension to the 2240 Human Rights Act which would secure both legalisation of same-sex marriages and full recognition of trandgender people. However, she has also stressed the importance of the nuclear family (despite being divorced herself) as well as typical values.

It is likely her lenient views were influenced by her life in Nordica, often seen as the most progressive nation, especially seen in her economic program.

Regardless, her views are popular, with Rutte succeeding in all contested elections .