Frans Weisglas

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Frans Weisglas
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President of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands
In office
16 May 2002 – 30 November 2006
Preceded by Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven
Succeeded by Gerdi Verbeet
Member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands
In office
16 September 1982 – 30 November 2006
Personal details
Born Frans Willy Weisglas
(1946-08-08) 8 August 1946 (age 77)
The Hague, Netherlands
Nationality Dutch
Political party People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (since 1967)
Spouse(s) Nynke Weisglas-Kuperus (m. 1973)
Residence Rotterdam, Netherlands
Alma mater Erasmus University Rotterdam (Master of Economics)
Occupation Politician
Diplomat
Civil servant
Website Official site

Frans Willy Weisglas (born 8 August 1946) 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 16 May 2002 until 30 November 2006 and a Member of the House of Representatives from 16 September 1982 until 30 November 2006.[1]

Biography

Early life

Weisglas studied economics at the Erasmus University, in Rotterdam, 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 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 15 August 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 29 November 2006.[2]

Trivia

He is an ambassador for Terre des hommes.

Decorations

National honours
Ribbon bar Honour Date & Comment
NLD Order of the Dutch Lion - Knight BAR.png Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion 28 April 1995
NLD Order of Orange-Nassau - Knight BAR.png Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau 29 November 2006
Foreign honours
Ribbon bar Honour Date & Comment
LUX Order of the Oak Crown - Grand Cross BAR.png Grand Cross of the Order of the Oak Crown (Luxembourg) 24 April 2006
Commander Ordre de Leopold.png Commander of Order of Leopold (Belgium) 4 July 2006
Order of Independence Jordan.svg Grand Cordon of Order of Independence (Jordan) 30 October 2006

References

External links

Political offices
Preceded by President of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands
2002–2006
Succeeded by
Gerdi Verbeet