Halbe Zijlstra
Halbe Zijlstra (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɑlbə ˈzɛilstraː]; born 21 January 1969) is a retired Dutch politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 26 October 2017 to 13 February 2018 in the Third Rutte cabinet. He is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
Halbe Zijlstra | |
|---|---|
Zijlstra in 2017 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 26 October 2017 – 13 February 2018 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Bert Koenders |
| Succeeded by | Sigrid Kaag (ad interim) |
| Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy in the House of Representatives | |
| In office 13 October 2017 – 25 October 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Rutte |
| Succeeded by | Klaas Dijkhoff |
| In office 1 November 2012 – 23 March 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Rutte |
| Succeeded by | Mark Rutte |
| State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science | |
| In office 14 October 2010 – 5 November 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Marja van Bijsterveldt |
| Succeeded by | Sander Dekker |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 20 September 2012 – 26 October 2017 | |
| In office 30 November 2006 – 14 October 2010 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Halbe Zijlstra 21 January 1969 Oosterwolde, Netherlands |
| Political party | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (since 1994) |
| Spouse |
Ingrid de Bondt (m. 1999) |
| Children | 1 son |
| Residence(s) | Wassenaar, Netherlands |
| Alma mater | University of Groningen (Bachelor of Social Science, Master of Social Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration) |
| Occupation | Politician · Management consultant |
Zijlstra, a management consultant by occupation, was elected as a member of the House of Representatives after general election of 2006 serving from 30 November 2006 until 14 October 2010 when he was appointed as State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science in the First Rutte cabinet, serving until 5 November 2012. Following the election of 2012, he returned to the House of Representatives, serving from 20 September 2012 until 26 October 2017; he was chosen as parliamentary leader, serving from 1 November 2012 until 23 March 2017. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 26 October 2017 to 13 February 2018.