Ank Bijleveld
Anna Theodora Bernardina "Ank" Bijleveld-Schouten (born 17 March 1962) is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) who has been serving as Minister of Defence in the third cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Rutte since 26 October 2017.[1]
Ank Bijleveld | |
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![]() Bijleveld in 2019 | |
Minister of Defence | |
Assumed office 26 October 2017 | |
Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
Preceded by | Klaas Dijkhoff |
King's Commissioner of Overijssel | |
In office 1 January 2011 – 26 October 2017 | |
Monarch | Beatrix (2011–2013) Willem-Alexander (2013–2017) |
Preceded by | Geert Jansen |
Succeeded by | Andries Heidema |
State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations | |
In office 22 February 2007 – 14 October 2010 | |
Prime Minister | Jan Peter Balkenende |
Preceded by | Rob Hessing |
Succeeded by | Raymond Knops (2017) |
Mayor of Hof van Twente | |
In office 1 January 2001 – 22 February 2007 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Hans Kok |
Member of the House of Representatives | |
In office 17 June 2010 – 1 January 2011 | |
In office 16 November 1989 – 16 January 2001 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Anna Theodora Bernardina Schouten 17 March 1962 IJsselmuiden, Netherlands |
Nationality | Dutch |
Political party | Christian Democratic Appeal |
Spouse(s) | Riekele Bijleveld ( m. 1984) |
Children | 2 daughters |
Residence | Goor, Netherlands |
Alma mater | University of Twente (Bachelor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration) |
Occupation | Politician · Civil servant |
Website | Minister of Defence |
A civil servant by occupation, she served as a member of the House of Representatives from 16 November 1989 until 16 January 2001, when she was appointed Mayor of Hof van Twente, serving from 1 January 2001 until 22 February 2007. She resigned after she was appointed as State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Fourth Balkenende cabinet, serving from 22 February 2007 until 14 October 2010. After the election of 2010, Bijleveld returned to the House of Representatives serving from 17 June 2010 until 1 January 2011 when she resigned after she was appointed as King's Commissioner of Overijssel. Following the election of 2017 Bijleveld was asked to become Minister of Defence in the Third Rutte cabinet. Bijleveld accepted and resigned as King's Commissioner of Overijssel the same day she took office as the new Minister of Defence on 26 October 2017.
Early life and education
Bijleveld was born in the Dutch province of Overijssel. Between 1980 and 1986, she studied public administration at the University of Twente.
Political career
In 1986 Bijleveld became a member of the Enschede municipal council for the Christian Democratic Appeal. She served as a Member of the House of Representatives from 16 November 1989 until 16 January 2001. She was Mayor of Hof van Twente from 1 January 2001 until 22 February 2007, when she resigned to become the State secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Fourth Balkenende cabinet until 14 October 2010. On 17 June 2010 she again became a member of the House of Representatives. She was an MP till 1 January 2011 when she became King's Commissioner of Overijssel.[2]
Minister of Defence, 2017–present
Bijleveld left that position in 2017 as she was appointed to be Minister of Defence.
Early in her tenure, Bijleveld oversaw Dutch efforts to disrupt a 2018 attempt by Russian intelligence agents to hack the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).[3][4]
Personal life
Bijleveld is married to Riekele Bijleveld since 1984 and has two daughters. She is a Roman Catholic.
Decorations
- Order of Orange-Nassau
- Knight (16 January 2001)
References
- "Defensieminister Ank Bijleveld (CDA) kent Den Haag op haar duimpje" (in Dutch). NOS. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
- (in Dutch) Ank Bijleveld-Schouten benoemd tot CdK Overijssel
- Anthony Deutsch and Stephanie van den Berg (October 4, 2018), Dutch government says it disrupted Russian attempt to hack chemical weapons watchdog Reuters.
- David Bond, Mehreen Khan and Kadhim Shubber (October 4, 2018), West hits back at Russian spying activities Financial Times.
External links
- Official
- (in Dutch) Drs. A.Th.B. (Ank) Bijleveld-Schouten Parlement & Politiek
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ank Bijleveld. |
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Office established |
Mayor of Hof van Twente 2001–2007 |
Succeeded by Hans Kok |
Preceded by Rob Hessing |
State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations 2007–2010 |
Succeeded by Raymond Knops (2017) |
Preceded by Geert Jansen |
King's Commissioner of Overijssel 2011–2017 |
Succeeded by Andries Heidema |
Preceded by Klaas Dijkhoff |
Minister of Defence 2017–present |
Incumbent |