Frans Weisglas
| Frans Weisglas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
|
In office 16 May 2002 – 30 November 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven |
| Succeeded by | Gerdi Verbeet |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
|
In office 16 September 1982 – 30 November 2006 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Frans Willy Weisglas 8 August 1946 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 Speaker 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 Speaker of the House, after Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven of the Labour Party stepped down. He was the first Speaker of the House to be elected (and re-elected in 2003) by a democratic vote among parliamentarians without requiring royal approval.
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 Speaker 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 |
|---|---|---|
 |
Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion | 28 April 1995 |
 |
Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau | 29 November 2006 |
| Foreign honours | ||
| Ribbon bar | Honour | Date & Comment |
 |
Grand Cross of the Order of the Oak Crown (Luxembourg) | 24 April 2006 |
 |
Commander of Order of Leopold (Belgium) | 4 July 2006 |
 |
Grand Cordon of Order of Independence (Jordan) | 30 October 2006 |
References
- ↑ (in Dutch) Frans Weisglas houdt de politiek voor gezien, Elsevier, 10 August 2006
- ↑ (in Dutch) Frans Weisglas: 'Met genoegen schrijf ik over het einde van dit wangedrocht', Volkskrant, 22 April 2012
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Frans Weisglas. |
- (in Dutch) Drs. F.W. (Frans) Weisglas Parlement & Politiek
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven |
Speaker of the House of Representatives 2002–2006 |
Succeeded by Gerdi Verbeet |