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Mark Rutte said Jean-Claude Juncker was like a deluded romantic about the European Union whereas the more hard-headed Dutchman believed “when you have visions, go see a doctor”.

The Dutch PM responded with damning criticism mixed with faint praise to yesterday’s keynote address in Strasbourg, in which Mr Juncker called for more Europe as well as a raft of new powers – effectively a United States of Europe, according to many critics.

Mr Rutte today said there were some “good things” to take from the European Parliament speech but also “things I like less”.

He said: “Juncker is a romantic. I am more of a when you have visions, go see a doctor kind of guy.”