Hans van Baalen
Johannes Cornelis "Hans" van Baalen (17 June 1960 – 29 April 2021) was a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) who served as a Member of the European Parliament and Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy in the European Parliament from 2009 until 2019. He also was President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party from 21 November 2015 until his death.
Hans van Baalen | |
|---|---|
| President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party | |
| In office 21 November 2015 – 29 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Graham Watson |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy in the European Parliament | |
| In office 14 July 2009 – 1 July 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Jules Maaten |
| Succeeded by | Malik Azmani |
| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 14 July 2009 – 1 July 2019 | |
| Constituency | Netherlands |
| President of the Liberal International | |
| In office 20 April 2009 – 26 April 2014 | |
| Preceded by | John Alderdice |
| Succeeded by | Juli Minoves |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 30 January 2003 – 14 July 2009 | |
| In office 28 September 1999 – 23 May 2002 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Johannes Cornelis van Baalen 17 June 1960 Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Died | 29 April 2021 (aged 60) Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Political party | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (1986–2021) |
| Spouse |
Ineke Sybesma (m. 2006) |
| Children | 1 son |
| Education | Leiden University (LLB, LLM, MSc) |
| Website | Official website (in Dutch) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Netherlands |
| Branch/service | Royal Netherlands Army |
| Years of service | 1986–2021 (Reserve) |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | National Reserve Corps |
Van Baalen, a jurist and management consultant by occupation, worked for Deloitte as Director of Public relations from his graduation in 1988 until 1999. He became a Member of the House of Representatives on 28 September 1999 serving until 23 May 2002. After the Dutch general election of 2003 he was re-elected as Member of the House of Representatives serving from 30 January 2003 until 14 July 2009 when he became Member of the European Parliament. Van Baalen served as President of the Liberal International from 20 April 2009 until 26 April 2014.