Editing Jan Peter Balkenende (section)

==2010 election and resignation==
Despite serious criticism by former prime ministers from the CDA, Balkenende was the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] [[lead candidate]] for the [[2010 Dutch general election|Dutch general election of 2010]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1351146.ece/Balkenende_weer_lijsttrekker_CDA|title=Balkenende weer lijsttrekker CDA}}</ref>
Balkenende raised mild controversy during his campaign for the 2010 Dutch elections. While appearing in a television show, Balkenende was asked by a female presenter what parties he would most likely form a [[coalition]] with. Balkenende first gave evasive answers, then when asked again by the presenter, responded saying "U kijkt zo lief" (English: "You look so cute"). The comment was regarded as [[Sexism|sexist]] and criticised by several people, including [[Opzij]] chief-editor Margriet van der Linden and [[GroenLinks]] leader [[Femke Halsema]] (who stated that "[the prime minister] deserves a knee to the groin" (in Dutch: "een knietje verdient")).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nd.nl/artikelen/2010/mei/27/balkenende-excuseert-zich-voor-u-kijkt-zo-lief- |title=Balkenende excuseert zich voor 'u kijkt zo lief' |date = 27 May 2010 |publisher = [[Nederlands Dagblad]]|language=nl}}</ref> Balkenende apologised for the comment later.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nrcnext.nl/blog/2010/05/27/wat-zeg-je-terug-op-u-kijkt-zo-lief/ |title =Wat zeg je terug op "U kijkt zo lief"? |date = 27 May 2010 |publisher = [[NRC Next]]|language=nl}}</ref>

On 9 June 2010, Balkenende resigned his position as leader of the CDA as well as his seat in the newly elected parliament, taking political responsibility for the CDA's disappointing election results in the 2010 general election.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/6906044/__Balkenende_weg_als_CDA-leider__.html?sn=binnenland,buitenland |author= De Telegraaf |title= Balkenende weg als CDA-leider |access-date= 9 June 2010}}</ref>