Gert-Jan Oplaat

Gert-Jan Oplaat (born 22 November 1964) is a Dutch former politician.

Gert-Jan Oplaat
Oplaat in 2005
Member of the House of Representatives
In office
1998–2002
In office
2002–2006
Personal details
Born22 November 1964
Markelo, Netherlands
Political party
  • VVD (1989–2022)
  • BBB (2022–present)
Occupation
  • Entrepreneur
  • Consultant
  • Administrator

Career

After secondary education he became a member of an agricultural family business.[1] In 1994 he protested against the national manure and ammonia policies.[1]

In 1989 he joined the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).[1] Between 1994 and 1998 he was a municipal councillor in Markelo.

He was elected in the 1998 general election.[1] He was his party's spokesman for agriculture.[1] In 2004 he presented a pamphlet arguing for a more right-conservative course, together with Geert Wilders.[1] His place on the candidate list was too low to be re-elected in the 2006 general election.

After leaving parliament he became a consultant, administrator in branche organisations and chairman of the regional chamber of commerce.[1]

Until 2014 he was chairman of the VVD provincial branch in Overijssel.

In 2022 he left the VVD because of discontent about its policies during the nitrogen crisis.[2] After being contacted by multiple parties, he joined the agrarian Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB).[3]

Personal life

Oplaat is married. He performs as a cabaretier and singer.[1] He is a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau and a member of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.

References
  1. "G.J. (Gert-Jan) Oplaat" (in Dutch). Parlement.com.
  2. Pepijn van den Brink (June 13, 2022). "Oud-Kamerlid Gert-Jan Oplaat zegt VVD-lidmaatschap op om stikstofplannen" (in Dutch). RTV Oost.
  3. "Oplaat (ex-VVD) stapt over naar BoerBurgerBeweging" (in Dutch). NOS. June 25, 2022. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
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