Wouter Koolmees

Wouter Koolmees (born 20 March 1977) is a Dutch economist and politician and of the Democrats 66 (D66) party who served as Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Third Rutte cabinet from 2017 to 2022. He also served as second Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2019 to 2020 during Kajsa Ollongren's medical leave of absence.[1]

His Excellency
Wouter Koolmees
Koolmees in 2010
Minister of Social Affairs and Employment
In office
26 October 2017 – 10 January 2022
Prime MinisterMark Rutte
Preceded byLodewijk Asscher
Succeeded byKarien van Gennip
Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands
In office
1 November 2019 – 14 May 2020
Prime MinisterMark Rutte
Preceded byKajsa Ollongren
Succeeded byKajsa Ollongren
Member of the House of Representatives
In office
17 June 2010 – 26 October 2017
Personal details
Born (1977-03-20) 20 March 1977
Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands
Political partyDemocrats 66 (since 2002)
Residence(s)Rotterdam, Netherlands
Alma materUtrecht University
(Bachelor of Economics, Master of Economics)
OccupationPolitician · Civil servant · Economist · Accountant · Financial analyst · Researcher
WebsiteMinister of Social Affairs and Employment

Early life and education

Koolmees studied economics at Utrecht University.

Career in the civil service

Before entering politics, he worked for several employers, including as a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance.

Career in national politics

Koolmees was a member of the House of Representatives from 17 June 2010[2] until his ministerial appointment on 26 October 2017; as a parliamentarian, he focused on matters of finance, transport and water supply.

Following the 2017 general election, Koolmees represented his party's interests alongside then-party leader Alexander Pechtold at the negotiating table with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) to form Mark Rutte's third cabinet. On 26 October 2017, he assumed office as Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, succeeding Lodewijk Asscher.

Following the 2021 national elections, Koolmees and Tamara van Ark of the VVD were chosen to lead their parties' negotiations on a coalition agreement.[3]

References
  1. "Cijferaar Wouter Koolmees (D66) minister van Sociale Zaken" (in Dutch). NOS. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  2. Reed Stevenson and Harro ten Wolde (June 9, 2010), Dutch vote in election dominated by austerity theme Reuters.
  3. Eline Schaart and William Adkins (March 25, 202), Coronavirus outbreak, resignations interrupt Dutch coalition talks Politico Europe.
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