Yvonne Bijenhof

Yvonne Bijenhof-Dubbink (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈivɔnə ˈbɛiənɦɔf]; born 2 August 1966) is a Dutch politician of the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Raised in the Overijssel city of Almelo, she was a high school teacher and later became a manger for the ROC van Twente educational institution. She worked on several initiatives to promote technical skills as well as the regional labor market.

In this Dutch name, the birth surname is Dubbink and the marital name is Bijenhof.

Yvonne Bijenhof
A Caucasian woman with dark-blond braided hair in a white room
Bijenhof in 2021
Member of the House of Representatives
Assumed office
12 September 2023
Preceded byFolkert Idsinga
Member of the Almelo Municipal Council
Assumed office
29 March 2018
Personal details
Born
Yvonne Dubbink

(1966-08-02) 2 August 1966
Almelo, Netherlands
Political partyPeople's Party for Freedom and Democracy
SpouseNico Bijenhof
Children2
Occupation
  • Politician
  • education manager
  • teacher
Websiteyvonnebijenhof.nl

Bijenhof became politically active in the run-up to 2018 municipal elections, and she received a seat in the Almelo Municipal Council. She was re-elected four years later and became the parliamentary leader in of the VVD, which held a plurality in the council. Bijenhof also ran in the 2021 general election, leading in September 2023 to her appointment to the House of Representatives as the successor of Folkert Idsinga.

Early life and educational career

Bijenhof was born as Yvonne Dubbink on 2 August 1966 in the Sint-Elisabeth Hospital in Almelo, Overijssel and grew up in that city.[1][2][3][4] She started her career as a teacher at the Reggesteyn high school, with locations in Nijverdal and Rijssen, and she has taught Dutch language and literature.[5][6]

Large atrium with two escalators, the base of a tree, and industrial features
Interior of ROC van Twente

In 2010, Bijenhof began working for ROC van Twente, a regional vocational education center, as a team coordinator.[7][8][9] She later became a manager and strategic advisor responsible for the connection between education and the job market.[5][10][11] As part of her role, she helped establish Twente Board – a collaboration between educational institutions, the government, and entrepreneurs to promote the regional economy – in 2014, and she served as its administrative secretary.[8][12] She was involved in its Twente Werkt (Twente works) program to reduce unemployment.[13] At ROC van Twente, Bijenhof was one of the founders of the Triple T High Tech Academy program in 2021, intended to keep those with technical skills in the region to combat a labor shortage. The education center cooperated with several companies as well as with the Heracles Almelo football club.[14] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bijenhof was involved in a website to match students and companies for internships, as lockdown closures had reduced opportunities. ROC van Twente would subsequently assist these companies in applying for a government subsidy.[15] Next to her job, Bijenhof was on the supervisory board of PCO Noord Twente, a network of Christian elementary schools in Almelo and Wierden, between 2013 and 2022, serving as its chair for the last five of those years.[16][17] Bijenhof temporarily stepped down from her role at ROC van Twente in 2023 while a member of parliament.[11]

Politics

Almelo Municipal Council

Bijenhof joined the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), stating she agreed with its values of liberty, responsibility, and reciprocity.[8] She ran for the municipal council in her home town of Almelo in March 2018 municipal elections as her party's fourth candidate.[18] She intended to strengthen Almelo's social-economic structure by providing opportunities to those unable to participate in the economy.[19] The VVD jumped from three to six seats out of the total 35, becoming the second-largest party in the council.[20] Bijenhof was sworn in on 29 March 2018, and she was chosen as a member of the body's presidium.[21][22] The VVD became part of the governing coalition along with the CDA, Christian Union, and the local LAS party.[23] Bijenhof focused on spatial planning, social affairs, economy, governance, and external affairs in the council.[24] From 2019 until 2020, she was on the board of the eastern Netherlands chapter of the VVD – consisting of Gelderland and Overijssel – as secretary.[25][26]

She sought a second term in the municipal council in March 2022 elections and was re-elected as number two on the VVD's list.[27] The party itself lost one of its six seats, but it did receive a plurality of the vote.[28] Bijenhof became the VVD's parliamentary leader, since the party's lead candidate – Arjen Maathuis – was serving on the municipal executive. She represented her party in negotiations to form a new governing coalition.[29][30] A coalition agreement between the VVD, LAS, the CDA, and D66 was presented on 17 June 2022, and it included plans to build 3,400 homes and to assign healthcare social workers to neighborhoods. The latter was in response to several people who had been killed in Almelo in preceding years.[31][32] When the municipal executive had decided in late 2022 to give priority to permanent residents in assigning public housing, coalition parties VVD and LAS voted in favor of a motion by the PVV that attempted to prevent the action. The motion was defeated 16–18, while Bijenhof questioned the executive's trustworthiness because of a 2020 promise against such a priority.[33] She remained on the council when she entered the House of Representatives.[11]

House of Representatives

Bijenhof ran for the House of Representatives in the March 2021 general election, being placed 48th on the VVD's party list. She pledged to represent the Twente region nationally, aiming to improve its accessibility by road and rail, and she received an endorsement from all fourteen VVD chapters in the region.[3][34] She also wanted to promote vocational education, calling it the backbone of society.[8] The VVD could claim 34 seats, gaining one, and was again the largest party in the House.[35] Bijenhof was not elected, and 78% of her nearly 3,400 preference votes were from Overijssel.[36] She became a board member of the VVD's directors association in June 2022.[37][38] When Folkert Idsinga announced his resignation as member of parliament on 5 September 2023 – to switch to New Social Contract shortly after – Bijenhof was appointed to succeed him due to her position on the VVD's party list in 2021.[39][40] She was installed on 12 September, and she became the party's spokesperson for lifelong learning and adult education.[5][41] She serves solely on the Committee for Kingdom Relations.[1] The collapse of the fourth Rutte cabinet two months before Bijenhof's swearing in had triggered a snap election for November 2023.[42] Bijenhof participated again, as the VVD's 39th candidate.[43]

Personal life

Bijenhof is married to Nico, and they have a daughter and a son.[37][44][45][46] As of 2021, she lived in the Almelo neighborhood of De Hofkamp.[47]

Electoral history
Electoral history of Simone Kennedy
Year Body Party Pos. Votes Result Ref.
Party seats Individual
2018 Almelo Municipal Council People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 4 201 6 Won [48]
2021 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 48 3,397 34 Lost [36]
2022 Almelo Municipal Council People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 2 423 5 Won [49]
2023 Provincial Council of Overijssel People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 23 216 4 Lost [50]
2023 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 39

References
  1. "Bijenhof Y. (VVD)". House of Representatives. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  2. Bouwhuis, Henk (11 September 2023). "Yvonne uit Almelo mag voor een paar maand de Tweede Kamer in: 'Moet nog wel onderdak zien te vinden'" [Yvonne from Almelo can go to the House of Representatives for a few months: 'I will have to find an accommodation']. Tubantia (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  3. Bijenhof, Yvonne (15 March 2021). "Almelose Yvonne is nummer 48 op kandidatenlijst VVD voor Tweede Kamer: 'Ik houd rekening met alle scenario's'" [Yvonne from Almelo is 48th on the VVD party list for the House of Representatives: 'I'm taking all scenarios into account']. Algemeen Dagblad (Interview) (in Dutch). Interviewed by Tom van den Berg. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  4. Bijenhof, Yvonne [@yvonne_bijenhof_vvd] (11 February 2022). "ALMELO, stad waar ik van hou 💙" [ALMELO, the city I love 💙] (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2021 – via Instagram.
  5. "Yvonne Bijenhof beëdigd als VVD-Kamerlid" [Yvonne Bijenhof sworn in as VVD House member]. House of Representatives (Press release) (in Dutch). 12 September 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  6. Bijenhof, Yvonne [@Yvonne_Bijenhof] (17 October 2019). "Voelt goed om even weer bij mijn eerste werkgever te zijn. Deze keer op bezoek en in de schoolbanken ipv voor de klas #docent #Nederlands @ReggesteynR" [It feels good to be back at my first employer. This time for a visit and behind the desks instead of in front of the class #teacher #Dutch @ReggesteynR] (Tweet) (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  7. "'We scoren hoog ten opzichte van het gemiddelde'" ['We are scoring high compared to the average']. Tubantia (in Dutch). 29 June 2012.
  8. Ter Maat, Jenny (3 March 2021). "Bijenhof: MBO ruggengraat samenleving" [Bijenhof: Vocational education backbone of society]. 1Twente (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  9. "Extra activities of Yvonne Bijenhof". House of Representatives. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  10. "Veertien lokale VVD-afdelingen steunen Yvonne Bijenhof als hun 'Stem van Twente' in De Haag" [14 local VVD chapters endorse Yvonne Bijenhof as their 'Voice of Twente' in The Hague]. Tubantia (in Dutch). 9 March 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  11. Bosman, Inger (12 September 2023). "VVD Almelo houdt boel draaiende ook al zit partijleider paar maand in Den Haag" [Almelo VVD keeps things going even though party leader is in The Hague for a few months]. 1Twente (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  12. Bijenhof, Yvonne. "Afscheidsinterview Yvonne Bijenhof" [Exit interview Yvonne Bijenhof]. Twente.com (Interview) (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  13. Hellegers, Bert (7 December 2015). "Leren en werken als medicijn" [Learning and working as a medicine]. Tubantia (in Dutch). p. 6.
  14. Bouwhuis, Henk (3 October 2022). "Nieuwe Twentse High Tech Academy blijkt schot in de roos: tweede groep studenten staat te trappelen" [New Twente Hight Tech Academy scored a bullseye: Second cohort of students cannot wait]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  15. Harleman, Eline (26 February 2021). "Noaberschop in stagezoektocht: ROC van Twente helpt scholieren aan een plek" [Noaberschop in search for internships: ROC van Twente helps students find a spot]. 1Twente (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  16. Jaarverslag jaar 2017 [Annual report year 2017] (PDF) (Report) (in Dutch). PCO Noord Twente. p. 34. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  17. Bestuursverslag 2021 [2021 board report] (PDF) (Report) (in Dutch). PCO Noord Twente. p. 38. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  18. "Johan Andela trekt zich terug" [Johan Andela withdraws]. Tubantia (in Dutch). 29 November 2017. p. 11.
  19. "Versterking voor VVD" [Reinforcements for the VVD]. Tubantia (in Dutch). 24 March 2018. p. 11.
  20. Bouwhuis, Henk (28 March 2018). "Almelo kleurt plotseling VVD-oranje" [Almelo is suddenly VVD orange]. Tubantia (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  21. "Raadsvergadering - 29 maart 2018" [Council meeting - 29 March 2018]. Municipality of Almelo (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  22. "Raad - 10 juli 2018" [Council - 10 July 2018]. Municipality of Almelo (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  23. Bouwhuis, Henk (12 June 2018). "Coalitie Almelo presenteert akkoord: Gratis parkeren, nieuw zwembad" [Almelo governing coalition presents agreement: Free parking, new swimming pool]. Tubantia (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  24. "Yvonne Bijenhof". Almelo VVD (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
  25. "ALV Regio Oost met Klaas Dijkhoff" [Regio Oost general meeting with Klaas Dijkhoff]. Regio Oost VVD (in Dutch). 20 May 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  26. Rooijmans, Liesbeth (17 May 2020). "Nieuw bestuur Regio Oost" [New board Regio Oost]. Regio Oost VVD (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  27. Bouwhuis, Henk (13 February 2022). "Oud-rechter Ger Vermeulen gaat op z'n 70ste de politiek in: 'Je moet in Almelo veilig over straat kunnen'" [Former judge Ger Vermeulen enters politics aged 70: 'You have to be safe on the streets of Almelo']. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  28. "In Almelo daalt na de uitslag het besef in: 'Een nieuw gemeentebestuur, dat wordt nog een lastige puzzel'" [Realization dawns on Almelo following results: 'A new municipal executive, that will be a challenge']. Tubantia (in Dutch). 17 March 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  29. Bouwhuis, Henk (16 May 2022). "Nieuw gemeentebestuur Almelo staat in de steigers en deze drie heren blijven op het pluche" [New municipal executive in Almelo is under preparation and these three men will stay in their position]. de Stentor (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  30. De Kleine, Jeroen (5 May 2021). "Wisseling van de wacht; Arjen Maathuis wil VVD-kar trekken tijdens verkiezingen in Almelo" [Changing the guard; Arjen Maathuis wants to be the VVD's lead candidate in Almelo elections]. Tubantia (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  31. "Partijen in Almelo hebben coalitieakkoord en miljoenen om uit te geven" [Almelo parties have agreed on a governing coalition and have millions to spend]. RTV Oost (in Dutch). 17 June 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  32. Bouwhuis, Henk (17 June 2022). "Strijd tegen psychische problemen in Almelo: speciaal GGD-team moet voorkomen dat het opnieuw helemaal misgaat" [Fight against mental health issues in Almelo: Designated mental healthcare team should prevent more tragedies]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  33. Van Schuppen, Henk (3 December 2022). "VVD Almelo toont wél ballen in asieldebat, ook geklungel met kunstwerk laat college wankelen" [Almelo VVD shows its balls in asylum debate, clumsiness with artwork also makes executive falter]. Tubantia (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  34. "Veertien lokale VVD-afdelingen steunen Yvonne Bijenhof als hun 'Stem van Twente' in De Haag" [Fourteen local VVD chapters support Yvonne Bijenhof as their 'Voice of Twente' in The Hague]. Tubantia (in Dutch). 9 March 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  35. "Definitieve uitslag verkiezingen: VVD 34 zetels, D66 24 en vier nieuwe partijen" [Final election results: VVD 34 seats, D66 24, and four new parties]. RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 26 March 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  36. "Tweede Kamer 17 maart 2021" [House of Representatives 17 March 2021]. Databank Verkiezingsuitslagen (in Dutch). Dutch Electoral Council. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  37. Bouwhuis, Henk (4 September 2023). "Yvonne Bijenhof (VVD) uit Almelo doet opnieuw gooi naar Kamerzetel en dit is waarom dat bijna niet mis kan gaan" [Yvonne Bijenhof (VVD) from Almelo again tries to win a House seat, and this is why she is unlikely to fail]. Tubantia (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  38. "Yvonne Bijenhof - Dubbink". VVD Bestuurdersvereniging (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  39. "VVD'er Idsinga stilletjes vertrokken uit de Tweede Kamer" [VVD member Idsinga quietly leaves the House of Representatives]. Noordhollands Dagblad (in Dutch). ANP. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  40. Beverdam, Gerard; Van den Bovenkamp, Niels (29 September 2023). "Waarom deze CDA'ers overstappen naar de partij van Omtzigt. 'Kiezers haken niet meer op de C aan'" [Why these CDA members are switching to Omtzigt’s party. 'Voters no longer attracted to the C']. Nederlands Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  41. Bosman, Inger (21 September 2023). "Yvonne (57) uit Almelo plotseling naar Den Haag: 'Dat ik Tweede Kamerlid mag zijn, is geweldig'" [Yvonne (57) from Almelo suddenly to The Hague: 'It is amazing that I can served as a member of parliament']. 1Twente (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  42. "Diep in de herfst naar de stembus, waarom dan pas?" [Late in autumn to the ballot box, why only then?]. NOS (in Dutch). 8 July 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  43. "Onze kandidatenlijst is bekend" [Our party list has been announced]. VVD (Press release) (in Dutch). 21 September 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  44. Bijenhof, Yvonne [@yvonne_bijenhof_vvd] (10 January 2021). "Jullie kennen inmiddels mijn ambitie om dé Twentse stem in de Tweede Kamer te laten horen. Vol passie zet ik mij in voor de politiek" [By now you all know my ambition to have the voice of Twente be heard in the House of Representatives. I am passionate about politics.] (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2021 – via Instagram.
  45. Bijenhof, Yvonne [@Yvonne_Bijenhof] (20 August 2021). "Vanmiddag een 'kijkje' mogen nemen bij mijn dochter op het werk: een woonvorm voor mensen met een verstandelijke beperking. Wat heb ik een respect en bewondering voor de toewijding en liefde van de begeleiders voor hun bewoners ❤️ #zorgverleners" [This afternoon I had a 'look' at my daughter's workplace: Housing for intellectually-disabled people. I have such a respect and admiration for the dedication and love of the nurses for their residents ❤️ #healthcareproviders] (Tweet) (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  46. Fractievoorzitter van VVD Almelo is plotseling Tweede Kamerlid [Parliamentary leader of the Almelo VVD is suddenly a member of the House of Representatives] (in Dutch). 1Twente Almelo. 15 September 2023. Event occurs at 11:44. Retrieved 8 October 2023 – via YouTube.
  47. "Yvonne Bijenhof in de Tweede Kamer? Almelose op plek 48 voor de VVD" [Yvonne Bijenhof in the House of Representatives? Almelo resident 48th candidate for the VVD]. Almelo's Weekblad (in Dutch). 16 March 2021. p. 17.
  48. "Proces-verbaal van de verkiezingsuitslag van de gemeenteraad" [Records of the election results of the municipal council] (PDF). Municipality of Almelo (in Dutch). 22 March 2018. p. 7. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  49. "Gemeenteraad 16 maart 2022" [Municipal council 16 March 2022]. Databank Verkiezingsuitslagen (in Dutch). Dutch Electoral Council. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  50. "Proces-verbaal uitslag verkiezing Provinciale Staten Overijssel2023" [Records election results Provincial Council of Overijssel 2023] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 27 March 2023. p. 35. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
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