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 acting mayor of Almere since 10 January 2022. She served as Minister of Defence in the third cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Rutte from 26 October 2017 to 17 September 2021.
Ank Bijleveld | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Almere | |
Acting | |
| Assumed office 10 January 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Franc Weerwind |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 26 October 2017 – 17 September 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Klaas Dijkhoff |
| Succeeded by | Ferdinand Grapperhaus (acting) |
| King's Commissioner of Overijssel | |
| In office 1 January 2011 – 26 October 2017 | |
| Monarchs | Beatrix Willem-Alexander |
| 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 | Position 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 |
| Political party | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| Spouse |
Riekele Bijleveld (m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Twente (BPA, MPA) |
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.