Norbert Schmelzer

Norbert Schmelzer
250px Norbert Schmelzer in 1971
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 6 July 1971 – 11 May 1973
Prime Minister	Barend Biesheuvel
Preceded by	Joseph Luns
Succeeded by	Max van der Stoel
Member of Senate
In office 11 May 1971 – 6 July 1971
Party leader of the Catholic People's Party
In office 7 December 1963 – 28 April 1971
Preceded by	Wim de Kort
Succeeded by	Frans Andriessen
Parliamentary leader of the Catholic People's Party in the House of Representatives
In office 7 December 1963 – 28 April 1971
Preceded by	Wim de Kort
Succeeded by	Frans Andriessen
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 2 July 1963 – 11 May 1971
State Secretary for General Affairs
In office 19 May 1959 – 24 July 1963
Prime Minister	Jan de Quay
Preceded by	Position created
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 20 March 1959 – 19 May 1959
State Secretary for Interior
In office 26 October 1956 – 19 May 1959
Prime Minister	Willem Drees (1956–1958) Louis Beel (1958–1959)
Preceded by	Position created
Succeeded by	Theo Bot
Personal details
Born	Wilhelm Klaus Norbert Schmelzer (1921-03-22)22 March 1921 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Died	Sankt Ingbert, Germany
Nationality	Dutch
Political party	Christian Democratic Appeal (from 1980)
Other political affiliations	Catholic People's Party (1952–1980)
Spouse(s)	Carla Mutsaerts (m. 1950–1977; divorced) Daphne Mary Nieuwenhuizen (m. 1977–2008; his death)
Children	3 sons and 2 daughters
Alma mater	Tilburg University (Master of Economics)
Occupation	Politician Civil servant
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Wilhelm Klaus Norbert "Norbert" Schmelzer (22 March 1921 – 14 November 2008) was a Dutch politician of the defunct Catholic People's Party (KVP) now merged into the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). Serving numerus positions in his career including Minister of Foreign Affairs from 6 July 1971 until 11 May 1973. In 1966 while serving as the parliamentary leader of the Catholic People's Party in the House of Representatives he proposed a Motion of no confidence against the Cabinet Cals and Prime Minister Jo Cals. A shocking and surprised action in Dutch politics, it marked the first time that a motion of no confidence was proposed against a cabinet of the same party. The Cabinet Cals resigned that evening.

Decorations

• Netherlands
  • Order of Orange-Nassau
    • Grand Officer (27 July 1963)
    • Knight Grand Cross (23 March 1991)
  • Order of the Netherlands Lion
    • Commander (8 June 1973)
  • Resistance Memorial Cross Resistance Memorial Cross
• France
  • National Order of Merit
    • Grand Cross
• Germany
  • Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
    • Grand Cross of Merit with Star

External links

• (Dutch) Drs. W.K.N. (Norbert) Schmelzer (Parlement & Politiek)

Party political offices
Preceded by Wim de Kort	Party leader of the Catholic People's Party 1963–1971	Succeeded by Frans Andriessen
Preceded by Wim de Kort	Parliamentary leader of the Catholic People's Party in the House of Representatives 1963–1971	Succeeded by Frans Andriessen
Government offices
Preceded by Position created	State Secretary for Interior 1956–1959	Succeeded by Theo Bot
Preceded by Position created	State Secretary for General Affairs 1959–1963	Succeeded by Position abolished
Preceded by Joseph Luns	Minister of Foreign Affairs 1971–1973	Succeeded by Max van der Stoel