Frits Bolkestein

Frederik ( Frits ) Bolkestein ( born April 4, 1933, Amsterdam) is a Dutch politician ( VVD). He was from 1999 to 2004 Commissioner and supplied in 2004 the much-discussed draft European Services Directive ( also often " Bolkestein Directive ").

Life and career

His grandfather was the minister Gerrit Bolkestein. After graduation Frits Bolkestein studied mathematics and physics at the University of Amsterdam and in the U.S., then philosophy and Greek, also in Amsterdam. Between 1960 and 1976, Bolkestein worked for the chemical company Shell. Here he worked as a manager in various positions in the field, including in Africa, Indonesia, Honduras, El Salvador, Great Britain and France. He was a board member of Shell Chemicals in Paris for three years. Early in his career with Shell he also studied law at Leiden University and economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Bolkestein is married and has three children.

Party

Bolkestein from 1978 to 1999 Liberal MP (VVD ) in the Dutch parliament from 1982 to 1986 Minister of Commerce of the Netherlands and Minister of Defense from 1988 to 1989. From 1990 to 1998 he was leader of the VVD in the Dutch parliament. He is considered a representative of the right wing.

From 1996 to 1999 he was President of the Liberal International. He was also a consultant to the Mont Pelerin Society.

The EU Commission President Prodi, he was responsible for the Internal Market, Taxation and Customs Union.

Political Activities

As a last important official act he presented the Draft European Services Directive.

He gained greater attention in the network by its full commitment to software patenting and a negotiating ploy on 18 May 2004 the EU Council of Ministers. Frits Bolkestein presented its reduction of a German proposal for amendment as " modified in a slightly technical way." In the presented version of Frits Bolkestein but were only inserted the words " new and ".