Johan Remkes

John Wijnandus ( Johan ) Remkes ( born June 15, 1951 in Zuidbroek, today Menterwolde ) is a Dutch politician ( VVD).

Life and career

His father was a gardener. Johan Remkes attended primary school in Sappemeer. He then went to the Gymnasium of Hoogezand- Sappemeer to 1969. Then Remkes began studying economics at the University of Groningen. This he finished in 1975, the study but did not complete. Remkes is unmarried and lives in Groningen.

On 11 April 2007 he was honored with the Order of Orange- Nassau in the officer class.

Party

Remkes is a member of Volkspartij voor de Vrijheid Democracy since 1973. Between November 1975 and March 1977 he was also chairman of the Jongeren Organisatie en Vrijheid Democracy, the youth organization of the VVD.

Member of Parliament

On October 26, 1993 Remkes was first used in the Second Chamber of the States General. There he was a member until 1998. Short term Remkes was on between 23 May 2002, July 22, 2002 and January 30, 2003 to May 27, 2003 Member of the Second Chamber. In November 2006, he came back to the Second Chamber and retired on 17 June 2010.

Public offices

On August 3, 1998 Remkes member in the Cabinet Kok II as Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment. His tenure ended on 22 July 2002. In the new Cabinet Balkenende I, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, he was Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and Deputy Prime Minister. Also in the Cabinet Balkenende II remained Remkes Interior Minister and in the minority government Balkenende III. On 22 February 2007, he finally left the government.

Since July 1, 2010 Remkes is Commissioner of the king in the province of North Holland.