Atzo Nicolaï

Atzo Nicolaï
Minister for Government Reform and Kingdom Relations (Netherlands)
In office July 7, 2006 – February 22, 2007
Prime Minister	Jan Peter Balkenende
Preceded by	Alexander Pechtold
Succeeded by	None
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
In office July 22, 2002 – July 7, 2006
Prime Minister	Jan Peter Balkenende
Preceded by	Dick Benschop
Succeeded by	Frans Timmermans
Member of the House of Representatives
In office November 30, 2006 – May 31, 2011
In office January 30, 2003 – May 27, 2003
In office May 19, 1998 – July 22, 2002
Personal details
Born	Atzo Nicolaï (1960-02-22) February 22, 1960 Delft, Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Political party	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
Residence	Amstelveen, Netherlands
Alma mater	Vrije Universiteit (LL.M., M.Sc)
Occupation	Politician Civil servant Jurist Corporate director

Atzo Nicolaï (born February 22, 1960) is a retired Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). He served as a member of the House of Representatives from May 19, 1998 until July 22, 2002 when he became State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Cabinets Balkenende I and II. He again had a short stint as an MP following the Dutch general election of 2003 serving from January 30, 2003 until May 27, 2003. He became Minister for Government Reform and Kingdom Relations in the Cabinet Balkenende III serving from July 7, 2006 until February 22, 2007 following the resignation of Alexander Pechtold. After the Dutch general election of 2006 Nicolaï returned to the House of Representatives and took office on November 30, 2006. Following the Dutch general election of 2010 Nicolaï became a likely candidate as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the cabinet formation of 2010 but his appointment was blocked by the coalition partner Party for Freedom (PVV). Nicolaï resigned as an MP on May 31, 2011. Next day he became a member of the board of directors of the chemical multinational DSM.

Decorations

• Order of Orange-Nassau
  • Officer (April 11, 2007)

References

• (Dutch) Parlement.com biography

Government offices
Preceded by Dick Benschop	State Secretary for Foreign Affairs 2002-2006	Succeeded by Frans Timmermans
Preceded by Alexander Pechtold	Minister for Government Reform and Kingdom Relations 2006-2007	Succeeded by None