Norbert Schmelzer

Wilhelm Klaus Norbert Schmelzer ( born March 22, 1921 in Rotterdam, † 14 November, 2008 St. Ingbert ) was a Dutch politician of the Katholieke Volkspartij (CIP), later Christians Democratisch Appèl (CDA ), with the 1980 from the merger of KVP the Christelijk Historical Unie ( CHU ) and Anti- Revolutionaire Partij (ARP) emerged.

Studies and professional activities

Schmelzer was born in 1921 as the son of German parents in Rotterdam, the father came out of the Saarland. Until 1933 he was in possession of a German passport, was this due to the rise of Hitler, however, from. Schmelzer was negen during the German occupation of the Netherlands during the Second World War, chairman of the Raad van ( Council of Nine ) in the student resistance. He completed until 1947, a degree in economics from the Katholieke Hogeschool Economische of Tilburg. After the graduation Schmelzer was until 1950 Management Assistant at Unilever. Subsequently, he was a civil servant in the Ministry of Economy. He was also active as a pianist, composer and poet.

Political career

Secretary of State

Schmelzer began his political career as Secretary of the Interior from 1956 to 1959 in the Cabinets of Willem Drees and Louis Beel. The Cabinet of Jan de Quay he was from 1959 to 1963 Secretary of State for General Affairs.

Group Chairman and overthrow the government Cals

Then Schmelzer was Chairman of the Group of CIP in the Second Chamber ( Tweede Kamer ). The night of 13 October 14, 1966 as a night of inputs van smelter in Dutch history. The Catholic- Socialist cabinet under Prime Minister Jo Cals CIP had introduced a draft budget to the (right ) opposition from the CHU, VVD, SGP, BP and GPV was not economical enough. The majority of CIP MPs led by Schmelzer voted for an amendment. Cal looked at this as a vote of no confidence and resigned on 22 November 1966.

Secretary of State

In the cabinet of Barend Biesheuvel Schmelzer was on 6 July 1971 to 11 May 1973 as a successor to Joseph Luns Secretary of State. In this capacity he was in the second half of 1972 and President of the Council of the European Union.

Private life

Schmelzer was married twice. With his first wife he had five children, two of whom died young. In summer 2008, Schmelzer moved with his second wife Daphne in the hometown of his family, the Saarland St. Ingbert. Here he lived until his death in November 2008.

Honors

  • Grand Commander of the Order of Orange- Nassau, 1963
  • Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, 1973
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Orange- Nassau, 1991
  • Robert Schuman Medal for his contribution to Europe 1991
  • The Great Cross of Merit with Star of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Grand Croix de l' Ordre du Mérite de la République Française
  • Verzetsherdenkingskruis ( Resistance Memorial Cross )

Publications

  • Schmelzer, Norbert: " Herinneringen van een politiek dier ". 2004, ISBN 90-5018-728-5

Biographical sources and background information

  • Biography on parlement.com ( Dutch)
  • Video material for " Nacht van Schmelzer " 1966 ( Dutch)
  • Bik, JM: " conformers, een zonderling evenement " ( government education from 1966 to 1994 ). Article in NRC Handelsblad May 1998 ( Dutch)
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