D66 leader Rob Jetten has a good chance of becoming the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands. According to the ANP’s preliminary forecast, his party D66 and the PVV both have 26 seats. Jetten was born in Veghel and grew up in Uden. A new Brabant Prime Minister suddenly seems close. Which Brabanders preceded him?
Dries van Agt, 1977-1982, Geldrop
The last Prime Minister of Brabant was CDA leader Dries van Agt from Geldrop. He led three cabinets in the period 1977-1982. His first cabinet with the VVD lasted the full term. The second cabinet, with PvdA and D66, fell after a year due to internal conflicts. His third cabinet was a transitional cabinet of CDA and D66 and only governed for a few months. Van Agt was known, among other things, for his unusual language, sense of perspective and sometimes unorthodox political style.
Dries van Agt and his wife Eugenie van Agt opted for euthanasia together last year. They died hand in hand. Both were 93 years old. The couple was together for more than seventy years.
Jan de Quay, 1959-1963, Den Bosch
Jan de Quay from Brabant became Prime Minister in 1959. He was born in Den Bosch and died in Beers. He led the first post-war centre-right cabinet and was himself a member of the Catholic People’s Party. The cabinet provided, among other things, free Saturdays, higher salaries and the General Assistance Act.
Gijsbert van Tienhoven, 1891-1894, The Works
Gijsbert van Tienhoven from De Werken became the second Brabant head of government in 1891 (then ‘chairman of the council of ministers’). In addition to being chairman of the Council of Ministers, Van Tienhoven was Minister of Foreign Affairs. His cabinet sought to expand male suffrage, but a bill on this subject was not adopted. Van Tienhoven resigned before his cabinet resigned because he did not agree with the course of events in his cabinet.
Jan Jacob Rochussen, 1858-1860, Etten-Leur
In 1858, the Netherlands had its first Brabant chairman of the council of ministers: Jan Jacob Rochussen from Etten. Before he was given this position, he was Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. In addition to being the leader of the cabinet, Rochussen was Minister of the Colonies. His colonial policy was conservative. Many of his plans did not receive support in parliament. In 1860 his cabinet fell.
It remains to be seen whether Rob Jetten’s name will eventually appear on this list.
