Balkenende resigns as CDA vote halves

Outgoing prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende has resigned as leader of the Christian Democrats following the apparent halving of the party’s vote in the general election.

In an emotional address on Wednesday night, he thanked party workers and supporters for the trust they have shown him in his eight years as prime minister.
Looking clearly dejected, the Christian Democrat leader said the voters had made their decision: ‘Elections have winners and losers.’
The evenings results are ‘very, very disappointing’ and the results are ‘clear’, he said. ‘I have to take responsibility,’ he said.
Balkenende said he would not take a seat in parliament either, despite heading the CDA’s list of prospective MPs.
Ank Bijleveld is number two on the CDA candidates list and widely tipped as his successor.