Frits Bolkestein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frits Bolkestein
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Bolkestein in 1999
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| European Commissioner |
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| In office 16 September 1999 – 22 November 2004 |
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| President | Romano Prodi |
| Preceded by | Mario Monti as European Commissioner for Internal Market |
| Succeeded by | Charlie McCreevy as European Commissioner for Internal Market |
| President of the Liberal International | |
| In office 15 April 1996 – 18 April 2000 |
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| Preceded by | Sir David Steel |
| Succeeded by | Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck |
| Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
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| In office 30 April 1990 – 30 July 1998 |
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| Deputy |
See list
Loek Hermans (1990)
Hans Dijkstal (1990–1998) Benk Korthals (1994–1998) Annemarie Jorritsma (1998) Gerrit Zalm (1998) |
| Preceded by | Joris Voorhoeve |
| Succeeded by | Hans Dijkstal |
| Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy in the House of Representatives | |
| In office 30 April 1990 – 30 July 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Joris Voorhoeve |
| Succeeded by | Hans Dijkstal |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 24 September 1988 – 7 November 1989 |
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| Prime Minister | Ruud Lubbers |
| Preceded by | Piet Bukman (ad interim) |
| Succeeded by | Relus ter Beek |
| State Secretary for Economic Affairs | |
| In office 5 November 1982 – 14 July 1986 Serving with Piet van Zeil
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| Prime Minister | Ruud Lubbers |
| Preceded by | Wim Dik |
| Succeeded by | Enneüs Heerma |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 14 September 1989 – 21 September 1999 |
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| In office 3 June 1986 – 24 September 1988 |
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| In office 16 January 1978 – 5 November 1982 |
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| Parliamentary group | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| Personal details | |
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Frederik Bolkestein
4 April 1933 Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Died | 17 February 2025 (aged 91) Laren, Netherlands |
| Political party | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (since 1975) |
| Relatives | Gerrit Bolkestein (grandfather) |
| Alma mater | University of Amsterdam (BSc, MA) London School of Economics (MSc) Leiden University (LLM) |
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Frederik "Frits" Bolkestein (4 April 1933 – 17 February 2025) was a Dutch politician. He was a leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) from 1990 to 1998. He also served as a European Commissioner for the Internal Market from 1999 to 2004.
Before becoming a politician, Bolkestein worked for a big oil company called Royal Dutch Shell. He was a corporate director from 1960 to 1976. Later, he managed an engineering company in Amsterdam.
Bolkestein became a member of the House of Representatives in 1978. This is similar to being a member of parliament. He spoke for his party on economic matters. In 1982, he became the State Secretary for Economic Affairs. This is a government role focused on the economy.
He later served as Minister of Defence from 1988 to 1989. In 1990, he became the leader of his political party, the VVD. He led the party until 1998.
In 1999, Bolkestein was chosen to be a European Commissioner. This is an important job in the European Union. He was in charge of the internal market and taxation. He held this position until 2004.
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Early Life and Education
Frederik Bolkestein was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on 4 April 1933. His grandfather, Gerrit Bolkestein, was also a politician. He served as a Minister of Education during World War II.
Frits Bolkestein went to school in Amsterdam. He studied mathematics and physics at the University of Amsterdam. He also earned degrees in philosophy and Greek. Later, he studied at The London School of Economics and Leiden University. He earned degrees in economics and law.
While studying, Bolkestein was involved in student life. He was an editor for a student magazine. He also helped run the student union.
Before politics, he worked for Royal Dutch Shell for 15 years. He worked in different countries like East Africa, Indonesia, and France. In 1976, he wrote a play in English. He used the pen name Niels Kobet for this play.
Political Career and Public Life
Bolkestein joined the VVD party and became a member of parliament in 1976. He served as Minister of International Trade from 1982 to 1986. From 1988 to 1989, he was the Minister of Defence.
In 1990, he became the leader of the VVD party. He was very successful in this role. He was known for sharing his strong and sometimes bold opinions. He often spoke about topics like immigration and the future of the European Union.
His party became very popular under his leadership. In the 1995 provincial elections, his party became the largest in the country. This was partly due to his views on immigration.
Bolkestein was also the president of the Liberal International. This is a group that connects liberal political parties around the world. After leaving his role as European Commissioner, he became a professor. He taught at universities in Leiden and Delft.
He wrote many books about politics and other subjects. Frits Bolkestein was married to Femke Boersma, who was an actress. He passed away in Laren on 17 February 2025, at the age of 91.
The Bolkestein Directive
One important thing named after Frits Bolkestein is the "Bolkestein Directive." This was a proposed law in the European Union. It aimed to make it easier for companies to offer services in other EU countries. For example, a company from one country could send its workers to another EU country. The idea was that these workers would follow the rules of their home country.
This idea caused a lot of debate and protests across Europe. People were worried it might lower social standards or create unfair competition. In 2006, the European Parliament voted on the directive. They changed some parts of it to address these concerns. The final version focused on the "freedom to provide services." This meant removing barriers for companies to work across borders.
Awards and Recognition
Frits Bolkestein received several important awards for his work:
- He was made a Knight and later a Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. This is a high honor in the Netherlands.
- He also received the Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
- He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit from Portugal.
- He received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Bradford.
- He was given the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Books Written by Frits Bolkestein
Frits Bolkestein was an author. He wrote many books about politics and society. Some of his books include:
- (1976) Floris, Count of Holland (under the name Niels Kobet)
- (1982) Modern Liberalism
- (1990) De Engel en het Beest (The Angel and the Beast)
- (1994) Islam en Democratie (Islam and Democracy)
- (1995) Het Heft in Handen (Taking Control)
- (2004) De Grenzen van Europa (The Borders of Europe)
- (2011) De intellectuele verleiding (The Intellectual Temptation)
Images for kids
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Member of the House of Representatives Frits Bolkestein during a debate on the 1980s oil glut in the House of Representatives on 26 June 1980.
See also
In Spanish: Frits Bolkestein para niños
