kids encyclopedia robot

Arthur Docters van Leeuwen facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Arthur Docters van Leeuwen (born May 8, 1945 – died August 14, 2020) was an important person in the Netherlands. He was a politician, a legal expert (someone who knows a lot about law), and a government worker. He belonged to a political party called the VVD. From 1999 to 2007, he was the leader of the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. This is a special government group that makes sure financial markets in the Netherlands work fairly and safely.

Arthur Docters van Leeuwen
Arthur Docters van Leeuwen

Arthur Docters van Leeuwen's Life and Work

Arthur Docters van Leeuwen was born in a city called The Hague on May 8, 1945. He studied law at university and finished his degree in 1969. After that, he worked in different jobs for the Dutch government.

Leading the Secret Service

In 1989, Arthur Docters van Leeuwen became the head of the Domestic Security Service. This was the Dutch secret service, which is now known as the AIVD. A secret service works to protect the country from dangers and gather important information. He held this important job until 1995.

Working with Public Prosecutors

After leaving the secret service, Docters van Leeuwen joined a group called the Board of Procurators General. This board helps to guide and supervise public prosecutors in the Netherlands. Public prosecutors are lawyers who work for the government to bring criminals to justice.

In 1998, while on this board, he had a disagreement with the Justice Minister, Winnie Sorgdrager. This disagreement was about another member of the board. Because of this, Arthur Docters van Leeuwen left the Board of Procurators General.

Leading the Financial Markets Authority

Soon after, in September 1999, Arthur Docters van Leeuwen became the leader of the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The AFM is very important because it makes sure that banks, stock markets, and other financial businesses in the Netherlands follow the rules. This helps to protect people who invest their money. He worked there until June 2007.

After Retirement

Even after he retired from his government jobs, Arthur Docters van Leeuwen stayed busy. He became the chairman of the Holland Financial Centre. He also worked as a research fellow at the Netherlands School for Public Administration. He was also the head of an advisory group for a company called IRS, which deals with security and making sure things are done honestly.

Arthur Docters van Leeuwen's Political Path

Arthur Docters van Leeuwen was involved in politics for many years.

Changing Political Parties

He first joined a political party called D66. Later, he became a member of the VVD. This is a liberal political party in the Netherlands. He even helped write a new main plan for the VVD, which was called the Liberal Manifest.

Running for Election

In 2006, he wanted to be a candidate for the VVD in the Dutch general election. This is when people vote for who they want to represent them in the government. However, he decided not to run. This was because he was placed lower on the list of candidates than another person, Fred Teeven. Arthur Docters van Leeuwen felt that this showed the VVD was going in a direction that was different from his own ideas.

Personal Life

Arthur Docters van Leeuwen lived to be 75 years old. He passed away on August 14, 2020.

Images for kids

kids search engine
Arthur Docters van Leeuwen Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.