Wouter Koolmees | |
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![]() Koolmees in 2010 | |
Minister of Social Affairs and Employment | |
In office 26 October 2017 – 10 January 2022 | |
Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
Preceded by | Lodewijk Asscher |
Succeeded by | Karien van Gennip |
Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands | |
In office 1 November 2019 – 14 May 2020 | |
Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
Preceded by | Kajsa Ollongren |
Succeeded by | Kajsa Ollongren |
Member of theHouse of Representatives | |
In office 17 June 2010 – 26 October 2017 | |
Personal details | |
Born | (1977-03-20)20 March 1977 (age 48) Capelle aan den IJssel,Netherlands |
Political party | Democrats 66(since 2002) |
Residence(s) | Rotterdam,Netherlands |
Alma mater | Utrecht University (Bachelor of Economics,Master of Economics) |
Occupation | Politician ·Civil servant ·Economist ·Accountant ·Financial analyst ·Researcher |
Website | Minister of Social Affairs and Employment |
Wouter Koolmees (born 20 March 1977) is a Dutch economist and politician and of theDemocrats 66 (D66) party who served asMinister of Social Affairs and Employment in theThird Rutte cabinet from 2017 to 2022. He also served as secondDeputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2019 to 2020 duringKajsa Ollongren's medical leave of absence.[1] He is also the CEO ofNederlandse Spoorwegen.
Koolmees studied economics atUtrecht University.
Before entering politics, he worked for several employers, including as a civil servant at theMinistry of Finance.
Koolmees was a member of theHouse 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 the2017 general election, Koolmees represented his party's interests alongside then-party leaderAlexander Pechtold at the negotiating table with thePeople's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) to formMark Rutte's third cabinet. On 26 October 2017, he assumed office asMinister of Social Affairs and Employment, succeedingLodewijk Asscher.
Following the2021 national elections, Koolmees andTamara van Ark of the VVD were chosen to lead their parties' negotiations on acoalition agreement.[3]
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by | Minister of Social Affairs and Employment 2017–present | Incumbent |
Preceded by | Deputy Prime Minister 2019–2020 Served alongside: Hugo de Jonge Carola Schouten | Succeeded by |