Wouter Koolmees
Wouter Koolmees | |
|---|---|
 Koolmees in 2010 | |
| Minister of Social Affairs and Employment | |
| In office 26 October 2017 – 10 January 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Lodewijk Asscher |
| Succeeded by | Karien van Gennip |
| Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands | |
| In office 1 November 2019 – 14 May 2020 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Kajsa Ollongren |
| Succeeded by | Kajsa Ollongren |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 17 June 2010 – 26 October 2017 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 March 1977 Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands |
| Political party | Democrats 66 (since 2002) |
| Residence(s) | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Alma mater | Utrecht University (Bachelor of Economics, Master of Economics) |
| Occupation | Politician · Civil servant · Economist · Accountant · Financial analyst · Researcher |
| Website | Minister of Social Affairs and Employment |
Wouter Koolmees (born 20 March 1977) is a Dutch economist and politician and of the Democrats 66 (D66) party who served as Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Third Rutte cabinet from 2017 to 2022. He also served as second Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2019 to 2020 during Kajsa Ollongren's medical leave of absence.[1] He is also the CEO of Nederlandse Spoorwegen.
Early life and education
[edit]Koolmees studied economics at Utrecht University.
Career in the civil service
[edit]Before entering politics, he worked for several employers, including as a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance.
Career in national politics
[edit]Koolmees was a member of the House of Representatives from 17 June 2010[2] until his ministerial appointment on 26 October 2017; as a parliamentarian, he focused on matters of finance, transport and water supply.
Following the 2017 general election, Koolmees represented his party's interests alongside then-party leader Alexander Pechtold at the negotiating table with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) to form Mark Rutte's third cabinet. On 26 October 2017, he assumed office as Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, succeeding Lodewijk Asscher.
Following the 2021 national elections, Koolmees and Tamara van Ark of the VVD were chosen to lead their parties' negotiations on a coalition agreement.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Cijferaar Wouter Koolmees (D66) minister van Sociale Zaken" (in Dutch). NOS. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- ^ Reed Stevenson and Harro ten Wolde (June 9, 2010), Dutch vote in election dominated by austerity theme Reuters.
- ^ Eline Schaart and William Adkins (March 25, 202), Coronavirus outbreak, resignations interrupt Dutch coalition talks Politico Europe.
External links
[edit]
- Official
- (in Dutch) Drs. W. (Wouter) Koolmees Parlement & Politiek
- 1977 births
- Living people
- Democrats 66 politicians
- Deputy prime ministers of the Netherlands
- Dutch accountants
- Dutch financial analysts
- Members of the House of Representatives (Netherlands)
- Ministers of social affairs of the Netherlands
- People from Capelle aan den IJssel
- Politicians from Rotterdam
- Utrecht University alumni
- 21st-century Dutch civil servants
- 21st-century Dutch economists
- 21st-century Dutch politicians