Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte was a potential new chairman of the European Council but let it be known he was not interested in the job, sources in The Hague have told the Telegraaf.

The sources say Rutte was approached about being a possible successor to Herman Van Rompuy but was not interested in the job, the paper says. In particular, German chancellor Angela Merkel was keen on Rutte, the sources said.

Two weeks ago, Italian newspaper La Repubblica said Rutte was in line for the top job, but the speculation was dismissed as ‘rubbish’ by deputy prime minister Lodewijk Asscher.

The sources said Rutte was not interested in the job because he did not want to abandon the cabinet at a moment when ministers are beginning to make considerable advances with their planned reforms.