Alexander Pechtold

Alexander Pechtold ( born December 16, 1965 in Delft) is a Dutch politician of the Democraten 66 ( D66 ).

Training

Pechtold visited the Rotterdamsch Lyceum and then studied art history and archeology at the University of Leiden. His studies he financed himself by working at Van Stockum 's Veilingen in The Hague, a Dutch traditional auction house that specializes in art auctions. In 1995 he received a diploma as an auctioneer ( in the Netherlands, in contrast to Germany, a training occupation) and his PhD in 1996 in art history and archeology.

Political career

Pechtold joined in 1989 the Democraten 66. From 1994 to 2002 he represented them in the Council of the city of Leiden. From 2002 to 2005 he served as chairman of the party. From October 2003 to March 2005, he was also mayor of Wageningen. Subsequently, he was, until his retirement at the end June 2006 Minister for Administrative Reform in the Cabinet Balkenende II In the early parliamentary election of 2006, he was the top candidate of the D66. Since then, he acts as Chairman of the Group and as a de facto political leader of the party.

Private

Pechtold is married to Froukje Idema. The couple has two children.

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