Frans Weisglas
Encyclopedia
Frans Willy Weisglas is a retired Dutch
politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
(VVD). He served as President of the House of Representatives from May 16, 2002 until November 30, 2006. He was the first elected president. He was a Member of the House of Representatives from September 16, 1982 until November 30, 2006.
at the Erasmus University
, in Rotterdam
, obtaining a degree in 1970.
In 2002, Weisglas was elected President of the House, after Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven
of the Labour Party
stepped down. He was the first President of the House to be elected and re-elected (2003) by a democratic vote among parliamentarians.
On August 15, 2006, he announced that he would not be a candidate in the 2006 Dutch general election
, ending his 24 year-old career as a politician. His last day as President of the House was on November 29, 2006.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy is a conservative-liberal political party located in the Netherlands. The VVD supports private enterprise in the Netherlands and is often perceived as an economic liberal party in contrast to the social-liberal Democrats 66 alongside which it sits in...
(VVD). He served as President of the House of Representatives from May 16, 2002 until November 30, 2006. He was the first elected president. He was a Member of the House of Representatives from September 16, 1982 until November 30, 2006.
Early life
Weisglas studied economicsEconomics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
at the Erasmus University
Erasmus University
Erasmus University Rotterdam is a university in the Netherlands, located in Rotterdam. The university is named after Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, a 15th century humanist and theologian...
, in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, obtaining a degree in 1970.
Politics
After his graduation, he worked for some years for the Dutch foreign service, being part of the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations (1970–1977). He then worked as a secretary to the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation (1978–1981). In 1982, he became an elected member of the House of Representatives, where he focused on foreign and European affairs.In 2002, Weisglas was elected President of the House, after Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven
Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven
Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven is a Dutch politician. She was a member of the House of Representatives for over 20 years for the social-democratic PvdA, and its chair for four years.-Before entering politics:...
of the Labour Party
Labour Party (Netherlands)
The Labour Party , is a social-democratic political party in the Netherlands. Since the 2003 Dutch General Election, the PvdA has been the second largest political party in the Netherlands. The PvdA was a coalition member in the fourth Balkenende cabinet following 22 February 2007...
stepped down. He was the first President of the House to be elected and re-elected (2003) by a democratic vote among parliamentarians.
On August 15, 2006, he announced that he would not be a candidate in the 2006 Dutch general election
Dutch general election, 2006
The General Election to the House of Representatives of the States-General of the Netherlands was held in the Netherlands on November 22, 2006. And followed the call for new elections after the fall of the Second Balkenende cabinet....
, ending his 24 year-old career as a politician. His last day as President of the House was on November 29, 2006.
Decorations
- Knight - Order of the Netherlands Lion
- Knight - Order of Orange-NassauOrder of Orange-NassauThe Order of Orange-Nassau is a military and civil order of the Netherlands which was created on 4 April 1892 by the Queen regent Emma of the Netherlands, acting on behalf of her under-age daughter Queen Wilhelmina. The Order is a chivalry order open to "everyone who have earned special merits for...
- Grand Officer - Order of the Oak CrownOrder of the Oak CrownThe Order of the Oak Crown is an Order of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.-History:The Order of the Oak Crown was instituted by the Grand Duke-King William II, in 1841...
- Commander - Order of Leopold