Ria Beckers
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Ria Beckers | |
---|---|
Leader of GroenLinks | |
In office 14 September 1989 – 20 April 1993 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Peter Lankhorst |
Parliamentary leader in the House of Representatives | |
In office 14 September 1989 – 20 April 1993 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Peter Lankhorst |
In office 25 May 1977 – 14 September 1989 | |
Preceded by | Bas de Gaay Fortman |
Succeeded by | Office discontinued |
Leader of the Political Party of Radicals | |
In office 25 May 1977 – 14 September 1989 | |
Preceded by | Bas de Gaay Fortman |
Succeeded by | Office discontinued |
Member of the House of Representatives | |
In office 8 June 1977 – 20 April 1993 | |
Chairwoman of the Political Party of Radicals | |
In office 30 November 1974 – 10 December 1976 | |
Leader | Bas de Gaay Fortman |
Preceded by | Wouter van Dam |
Succeeded by | Herman Verbeek |
Personal details | |
Born | Maria Brigitta Catherina de Bruijn 2 November 1938 Driebergen, Netherlands |
Died | 22 March 2006 Wadenoijen, Netherlands | (aged 67)
Cause of death | Terminal illness |
Political party | GroenLinks (from 1989) |
Other political affiliations | Political Party of Radicals (1970–1989) |
Spouse |
Karel Beckers (m. 1965) |
Children | 2 daughters and 1 son |
Alma mater | Utrecht University (Bachelor of Letters, Master of Letters) |
Occupation | Politician · Teacher · Nonprofit director · Academic administrator · Activist |
Maria Brigitta Catherina "Ria" Beckers-de Bruijn (2 November 1938 – 22 March 2006) was a Dutch politician of the Political Party of Radicals (PPR) and later co-founder of the GroenLinks (GL) party and teacher.
Career before politics
In 1956, Beckers completed the
In the 1970s she had become active in the progressive Christian political party Politieke Partij Radicalen (PPR). Beckers had a
Political career
In 1977, Beckers was elected
In 1989, the PPR merged with these left-wing parties to become the GroenLinks. Beckers was elected lijsttrekker of the new formation. In the 1989 elections the GroenLinks got a disappointing six seats. Beckers remained political leader of the GroenLinks until 1993, when she stood down for a new generation. She had been political leader of her party for sixteen years. When she left parliament in 1993 prime-minister Lubbers praised her by saying "you gave us (the government) a lot of trouble".
In parliament Beckers took special interest in promoting organic farming and peace.
Later career
After leaving politics Beckers became involved in green
In 2006, Beckers died after a long illness. After her death she was praised for being an authentic, compassionate and idealistic politician, who stood far from the televised political theater of today.[1]
Personal life
Beckers was married and had three children, one of whom was adopted.
Beckers lived most of her life in Wadenoijen, which is near the Linge river. For years she protested against the creation of bigger dikes against the river. Ironically, in 1995, she had to be evacuated from her house, because the dikes were expected to be not strong enough to hold back the river.
Decorations
Honours | ||||
Ribbon bar | Honour | Country | Date | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion | Netherlands | 30 April 1989 | ||
Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau | Netherlands | 30 April 2004 |
References
- ^ "Getuigenispoliticus met een groot hart" (Compassionate testimonial politician ) (in Dutch). de Volkskrant, 24 March 2006.
External links
- Official
- (in Dutch) Drs. M.B.C. (Ria) Beckers-de Bruijn Parlement & Politiek