Gert-Jan Segers | |
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![]() Segers in 2016 | |
Leader of the Christian Union | |
In office 10 November 2015 – 17 January 2023 | |
Preceded by | Arie Slob |
Succeeded by | Mirjam Bikker |
Leader of theChristian Union in theHouse of Representatives | |
In office 10 November 2015 – 17 January 2023 | |
Preceded by | Arie Slob |
Succeeded by | Mirjam Bikker |
Member of theHouse of Representatives | |
In office 20 September 2012 – 20 January 2023 | |
Personal details | |
Born | (1969-07-09)9 July 1969 (age 55) Lisse,Netherlands |
Political party | Christian Union |
Other political affiliations | Reformatory Political Federation (until 2001) |
Relations | Married |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | Leiden University (BSc,MSc) Johns Hopkins University (MIPP) |
Gert Jan Maarten "Gert-Jan" Segers (born 9 July 1969) is a Dutch politician who wasLeader of the Christian Union between 2015 and 2023. He has been a member of theHouse of Representatives between 2012 and 2023 and wasparliamentary leader between 2015 and 2023.[1]
A native ofLisse, Segers studiedpolitical science atLeiden University and obtained a master's degree inWestern–Islamic relations and theMiddle East atJohns Hopkins University. From 2000 to 2007 he was aChristian missionary in Egypt. From 2008 to 2012, he was the chairman of the Christian Union think tank Mr. G. Groen van Prinsterer Stichting.[2] He is also a columnist for the Dutch newspaperNederlands Dagblad; he wrote two books criticisingpolitical Islam, as well as two novels.
Segers entered theHouse of Representatives following the2012 general election. In 2015, he succeededArie Slob as party leader and parliamentary leader. In the2017 general election, the Christian Union remained stable with five seats. Prime MinisterMark Rutte first turned towardGroenLinks to form histhird cabinet, but policy disagreement between the parties prevented participation. Rutte then turned toward the Christian Union, who accepted the offer to govern: two Christian Union members were appointed (Carola Schouten andArie Slob).
On 13 January 2023, Segers announced his resignation as leader of the Christian Union. He was succeeded byMirjam Bikker on 17 January.[3][2]
Gert-Jan Segers is married and has three children. Theo Segers, the former mayor ofStaphorst and current mayor ofMolenlanden, is his cousin.[4]