Alexander Pechtold
Alexander Pechtold (born 16 December 1965) is a retired Dutch politician and art historian. He is a member of Democrats 66.
Alexander Pechtold | |
|---|---|
Pechtold in 2013 | |
| Leader of the Democrats 66 in the House of Representatives | |
| In office 30 November 2006 – 10 October 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Lousewies van der Laan |
| Succeeded by | Rob Jetten |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 30 November 2006 – 10 October 2018 | |
| Leader of the Democrats 66 | |
| In office 24 June 2006 – 6 October 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Boris Dittrich |
| Succeeded by | Sigrid Kaag (2020) |
| Minister for the Interior | |
| In office 31 March 2005 – 3 July 2006 | |
| Prime Minister | Jan Peter Balkenende |
| Preceded by | Thom de Graaf |
| Succeeded by | Atzo Nicolaï |
| Mayor of Wageningen | |
| In office 1 October 2003 – 31 March 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Geke Faber |
| Succeeded by | Chris Rutten (ad Interim) |
| Chair of the Democrats 66 | |
| In office 16 November 2002 – 31 March 2005 | |
| Leader | Thom de Graaf (2002–2003) Boris Dittrich (2003–2005) |
| Preceded by | Gerard Schouw |
| Succeeded by | Jan Hoekema (ad Interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alexander Pechtold 16 December 1965 Delft, Netherlands |
| Political party | Democrats 66 (since 1989) |
| Spouse |
Froukje Idema
(m. 1997; div. 2018) |
| Children | One son, one daughter |
| Residence(s) | Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands |
| Alma mater | Leiden University (BA, MA) |
| Occupation | Politician · Civil servant · Auctioneer · Art historian |
Pechtold studied Archaeology and History of Dutch Art at Leiden University, and obtained a Master of Arts degree. Pechtold worked as an auctioneer in The Hague from July 1992 until June 1996 and as an Alderman in Leiden from June 1996 until October 2003. Pechtold served as Chairman of the Democrats 66 from 16 November 2002 until 31 March 2005. In September 2003, Pechtold was nominated as the next mayor of Wageningen taking office on 1 October 2003. Pechtold was appointed as Minister without Portfolio for the Interior in the second Balkenende cabinet following a cabinet reshuffle, taking office on 31 March 2005. After Party Leader Boris Dittrich announced he was stepping down, Pechtold announced his candidacy and was elected as his successor on 24 June 2006. The cabinet fell just a year later, and he resigned on 3 July 2006.
For the 2006 general election, Pechtold served as lead candidate and was elected to the House of Representatives, becoming Parliamentary leader on 30 November 2006. For the 2010, 2012 and 2017 general elections, Pechtold served as lead candidate again, and following a successful cabinet formation in 2017 with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the Christian Union formed the third Rutte cabinet, with Pechtold opting to remain as Parliamentary leader. In October 2018 Pechtold unexpectedly announced his retirement from national politics and stepped down as leader and Parliamentary leader on 10 October 2018.