Kajsa Ollongren

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
In office
14 April 2020 – 10 January 2022
Prime MinisterMark Rutte
Preceded byRaymond Knops (acting)
Succeeded byHanke Bruins Slot
In office
26 October 2017 – 1 November 2019
Prime MinisterMark Rutte
Preceded byRonald Plasterk
Succeeded byRaymond Knops (acting)
Mayor of Amsterdam
Acting
In office
5 October 2017 – 26 October 2017
Preceded byEberhard van der Laan
Succeeded byEric van der Burg (acting)
Personal details
Born
Karin Hildur Ollongren

(1967-05-28) 28 May 1967 (age 56)
Leiden, Netherlands
Citizenship
  • Netherlands
  • Sweden
Political partyDemocrats 66
Spouse
Irene van den Brekel
(m. 2004)
Children2
RelativesAlexander Ollongren (father)
EducationUniversity of Amsterdam
École nationale d'administration (BPA, MPA)

Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and second Deputy Prime Minister in the third Rutte cabinet (2017–2022), and briefly as Mayor of Amsterdam (October 2017).[1]

Early life and education

Ollongren was born on 28 May 1967 in Leiden to

Swedish citizenship
.

Ollongren grew up in

Career in the civil service

Ollongren started her career in the civil service at the

Ministry of Economic Affairs
, becoming a policymaker in the area of Central and Eastern Europe there in 1992, in which capacity she trained young political parties of the newly established democracies in the area. She was head of parliamentary affairs within the ministry until 2001, and director of European Integration and Strategy from 2001 to 2004, and became Deputy Director General of the ministry in 2004.

In 2007, Ollongren moved to the Ministry of General Affairs, the department headed by the Prime Minister, becoming Deputy Secretary General. She became Secretary General of the ministry in 2011.[4][5]

Political career

Local politics

After the 2014 local election, in which the Democrats 66 became the largest party of Amsterdam and entered the city's government, Ollongren became an alderwoman and first deputy mayor in Amsterdam, taking office on 18 June 2014. Her portfolio as alderwoman was extensive, including economic affairs, seaport, airport, participation, art, culture, local media, monuments and the city centre.[4]

On 18 September 2017, the city's mayor Eberhard van der Laan announced in an open letter to the people of Amsterdam that he would step back from his public responsibilities due to ill health, leaving Ollongren to exercise these responsibilities in his stead from 19 September onward.[6] The day after his death, on 6 October, Ollongren became acting Mayor of Amsterdam.[4]

Minister of the Interior, 2017–2022

On 26 October 2017, Ollongren was appointed as

medical leave
of absence.

Following the 2021 general election, Ollongren (D66) and Annemarie Jorritsma of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) led the initial exploratory talks of the government formation. Both of them stepped down on 25 March 2021 after Ollongren was photographed carrying notes with confidential information visible.[8] The talks had been suspended earlier that day, because Ollongren had tested positive for COVID-19.[8]

Minister of Defence, 2022–present

Early in her tenure, Ollongren agreed to a Ukrainian request to supply 200

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9] Also during her time in office, the government earmarked an additional 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in military aid for Ukraine in 2024.[10]

Personal life

Ollongren is married to television producer Irene van den Brekel [nl]. The couple has two children.

Electoral history

Electoral history of Kajsa Ollongren
Year Body Party Pos. Votes Result Ref.
Party seats Individual
2006 House of Representatives Democrats 66 5 3,174 3 Lost [11]
2021 House of Representatives Democrats 66 80[a] 3,123 24 Lost [12]
2023 House of Representatives Democrats 66 75[a] 727 9 Lost [13]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Ollongren participated as a lijstduwer.

References

  1. ^ "Vicepremier Kajsa Ollongren (D66), een vertrouweling van Rutte" (in Dutch). NOS. 21 October 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Noord-Nederlandse adellijke families". Hoge Raad van Adel (in Dutch). 17 November 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  3. OCLC 186463251
    .
  4. ^ a b c d "Drs. K.H. (Kajsa) Ollongren". Parlement & Politiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  5. ^ Huiskamp, Frank (2 April 2014). "Rutte moet zijn 'rechterhand' missen, maar wat deed die eigenlijk zoal?". NRC (in Dutch).
  6. ^ "Van der Laan schrijft afscheidsbrief aan Amsterdammers: Vaarwel". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch).
  7. ^ PressReader - De Telegraaf: 2016-10-13 - 'MKB sleepte Nederland door crisis. (in Dutch).
  8. ^ a b Schaart, Eline; Adkins, William (25 March 2021). "Coronavirus outbreak, resignations interrupt Dutch coalition talks". Politico. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  9. ^ Anthony Deutsch (26 February 2022), Dutch to supply anti-tank, air defence rockets to Ukraine Reuters.
  10. ^ Anthony Deutsch and Bart Meijer (17 December 2023), Dutch to deliver additional $2.2 bln in military aid to Kyiv in 2024 -defence minister Reuters.
  11. ^ "Proces-verbaal zitting Kiesraad uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 2006" [Records meeting Duch Electoral Council results 2006 general election] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 27 November 2006. pp. 71–88. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Proces-verbaal verkiezingsuitslag Tweede Kamer 2021" [Report of the election results House of Representatives 2021] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 29 March 2021. pp. 63–101. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Proces-verbaal van de uitslag van de verkiezing van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 2023 d.d. 4 december 2023" [Report of the results of the election of the House of Representatives on 4 December 2023] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 4 December 2023. pp. 21–22. Retrieved 21 December 2023.

External links

Civic offices
Preceded by Secretary-General of the
Ministry of General Affairs

2011–2014
Succeeded by
Paul Huijts
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Amsterdam (a.i.)
2017–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Second Deputy Prime Minister
2017–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Minister of the Interior and
Kingdom Relations

2017–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Minister of Defence

2022–present
Incumbent