Ruben Brekelmans

Last updated

Ruben Brekelmans
Ruben Brekelmans.jpg
Brekelmans in 2020
Minister of Defence
Assumed office
2 July 2024
Website rubenbrekelmans.nl

Ruben Pieter Brekelmans (born 18 July 1986) is a Dutch politician serving as the minister of defence in the Schoof cabinet since 2024. Brekelmans previously served as a member of the House of Representatives on behalf of the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). As a parliamentarian, he focused on foreign affairs and migration.

Contents

Early life and career

He was born in 1986 in Leidschendam, located close to The Hague, and he grew up in the North Brabant village Kaatsheuvel. [2] [3] Brekelmans became a member of Youth Organisation Freedom and Democracy (JOVD), the VVD's independent youth organization, at age seventeen. [4] He studied economics at Tilburg University, global politics at the London School of Economics, and obtained a Master of Public Administration degree in 2015 at the Harvard Kennedy School. [5] [6] [7]

After graduating from Harvard, Brekelmans took a job as strategy consultant at The Boston Consulting Group's Amsterdam office. [5] [7] He subsequently served as political assistant of State Secretary for Justice and Security Mark Harbers and kept working at the Ministry of Justice and Security as director of the program Adaptive Asylum System after Harbers's resignation in May 2019. [8] [9] [1] Brekelmans left the ministry in October 2020 to become program director Insight on Quality at the Ministry of Finance. [3] [9] [1] Next to his job, he was chair of the VVD's thematic network on international affairs between 2017 and 2021, and he was on the committee that wrote his party's election program for the 2019 European Parliament election. [10] [11]

House of Representatives

Brekelmans was the VVD's thirtieth candidate in the 2021 general election and was elected to the House of Representatives with 1,539 preference votes. [12] He was sworn in on 31 March and became his party's spokesperson for foreign policy, international cultural policy, and extensions of foreign missions. Migration was later added to his specialties. [13] During the Russian military build-up ahead of its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Brekelmans advocated sending weapons to Ukraine, and he kept pleading for strong sanctions after the start of the invasion including closing the European Union's airspace for Russian airliners. [14] [15] Furthermore, Brekelmans was in support of quickly increasing spending on the Dutch military such that its budget would adhere to the NATO norm of 2% of GDP, and he wanted more security, defense, and migration cooperation in the European Union, although he opposed a European army. [16] [17]

In an opinion piece, he wrote that he wanted to deport asylum seekers whose application had been rejected to make room for "real refugees" from Ukraine. [18] He also raised the possibility of temporarily halting new asylum applications in light of capacity problems at asylum seekers' centers. [19] Shortly after the collapse of the fourth Rutte cabinet resulting from disagreements about immigration reform, Brekelmans argued in favor of cooperation with the Party for Freedom (PVV), including as a confidence partner for a minority government. The VVD and its leader Mark Rutte had dismissed the PVV for years due to a failed coalition in the early 2010s and its anti-immigration and anti-Islam stances. Brekelmans said that he kept his party's objections against the PVV but that their support might be necessary to solve immigration issues. He suggested the yearly influx of immigrants would have to be reduced by at least 50,000. [20] [21] The JOVD and former VVD politician Ed Nijpels criticized Brekelmans's comments, while VVD lead candidate Dilan Yeşilgöz weeks later also did not dismiss future cooperation with the PVV. [22] Following the 2023 general election, Brekelmans served as the his party's spokesperson for foreign affairs (excluding Europe) and migration. [23]

Committee memberships

In the House, Brekelmans was on the following committees: [2]

Minister of Defence

After the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB formed the Schoof cabinet, Brekelmans was sworn in as Minister of Defence on 2 July 2024, succeeding Kajsa Ollongren. [24] [25]

Personal life

Brekelmans lives in the North Brabant town Oisterwijk. [2] He has a girlfriend and a daughter, who was born on the day before his election to the House. [26]

Electoral history

Electoral history of Ruben Brekelmans
YearBodyPartyPos.VotesResultRef.
Party seatsIndividual
2021 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 301,53934Won [27]
2023 House of RepresentativesPeople's Party for Freedom and Democracy613,90224Won [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Madlener</span> Dutch politician (born 1969)

Barry Madlener is a Dutch politician, who has served as Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Schoof cabinet since July 2024. A member of the Party for Freedom (PVV), he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2006. He became the PVV's leader in the European Parliament following the 2009 election. Madlener resigned from that position to again serve in the House of Representatives from the 2012 general election until 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddy van Hijum</span> Dutch politician (born 1972)

Yde Johan "Eddy" van Hijum is a Dutch politician who has served as the minister of social affairs and employment and third deputy prime minister in the Schoof cabinet since 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjolein Faber</span> Dutch politician (born 1960)

Marjolein Hillegonda Monica Faber-van de Klashorst is a Dutch politician for the right-wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV), who has served as Minister of Asylum and Migration in the Schoof cabinet since July 2024. Previously, she was a member of the Provincial Council of Gelderland (2011–2023), of the Senate (2014–2023), and of the House of Representatives (2023–2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vicky Maeijer</span> Dutch politician (born 1986)

Vicky Maeijer is a Dutch politician representing the Party for Freedom (PVV). She has served as State Secretary for Long-term and Social Care in the Schoof cabinet since July 2024. Previously, she was a Member of the European Parliament for the Netherlands from 2014 to 2017 and a member of the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Jansen</span> Member of the Dutch House of Representatives

Christiaan Anton Jansen is a Dutch politician for the right-wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV). He has been serving as State Secretary for Public Transport and the Environment since July 2024, and he previously was a member of the House of Representatives between November 2019 and March 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie Hermans</span> Dutch politician (born 1981)

Sophia Theodora Monique "Sophie" Hermans is a Dutch politician currently serving as Second Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands and Minister of Climate and Green Growth in the Schoof cabinet. Hermans previously served as a member of the House of Representatives representing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy between 2017 and 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dilan Yeşilgöz</span> Dutch politician (born 1977)

Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius is a Dutch politician who served as Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy since 2023. She also served as minister of justice and security in the fourth Rutte cabinet from 10 January 2022 to 2 July 2024. Yeşilgöz previously served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2021 and as State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy from 2021 until 2022.

Mark A.J. Snoeren is a Dutch politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives between September 2020 and March 2021. He is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Snoeren has worked for the Royal Marechaussee, and he owns a business in Nieuwegein. He also held a seat in that town's municipal council for twelve years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Dutch general election</span>

Early general elections were held in the Netherlands on 22 November 2023 to elect the members of the House of Representatives. The elections had been expected to be held in 2025 but a snap election was called after the fourth Rutte cabinet collapsed on 7 July 2023 due to immigration policy disagreements between the coalition parties. The incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that he would not lead his party into the election and that he would retire from politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurens Dassen</span> Party leader of Volt Netherlands

Laurens Antonius Josephus Maria Dassen is a Dutch politician and former banker. Dassen grew up in Knegsel, studied business administration at Radboud University and worked for ABN AMRO for six years. He has been a member of Volt Netherlands since its foundation in 2018 and was elected to the House of Representatives as his party's lijsttrekker in the 2021 general election.

Eelco Heinen is a Dutch politician serving since 2 July 2024 as the Minister of Finance. A member of the House of Representatives since March 2021, he is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and previously worked as a party staffer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariëlle Paul</span> Member of the Dutch House of Representatives

Mariëlle Lucienne Josepha Paul is a Dutch politician. A member of the conservative liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), she was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2021 general election, and she became Minister for Primary and Secondary Education as part of the fourth Rutte cabinet in July 2023. She continued with the same portfolio in the Schoof cabinet as State Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education and Equal Opportunities starting in July 2024. Paul previously worked as a communications director for several multinational corporations.

Folkert Lútsen Idsinga is a Dutch tax lawyer and politician, who has served as State Secretary for Tax Affairs and the Tax Administration since July 2024. He was a partner at Baker McKenzie, and he was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2021 general election on behalf of the conservative liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Idsinga left the House in September 2023 to switch to New Social Contract (NSC), and he was re-elected in 2023.

Adriaan Harry John "Daan" de Kort is a Dutch politician of the conservative liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Born in Veldhoven, he served on that town's municipal council starting in 2014, and he became an alderman four years later. He was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2021 Dutch general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henri Bontenbal</span> Dutch politician (born 1982)

Henri Bontenbal is a Dutch politician and energy consultant who has served in the House of Representatives since 18 January 2022. He has been the leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) since 14 August 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daan de Neef</span> Dutch politician (born 1977)

Daniël "Daan" de Neef is a Dutch speechwriter and former politician. A member of the conservative liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), De Neef was a political staffer of the VVD and owned a speech consultancy. He held a seat in the Breda municipal council starting in 2018 and was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2021 general election. De Neef stepped down the following year and switched to the Party for the Animals (PvdD) shortly after.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric van der Burg</span> Dutch politician (born 1965)

Eric van der Burg is a Dutch politician, who served as State Secretary for Justice and Security in the fourth Rutte cabinet between January 2022 and July 2024. A member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), he was elected to the Senate in 2019. Van der Burg previously had a lengthy political career in the municipality of Amsterdam which culminated in his brief service as ad interim Mayor of Amsterdam in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pim van Strien</span> Dutch politician (born 1977)

Pim Johannes Thomas van Strien is a Dutch politician of the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) who has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2021. He previously worked as a press officer for the VVD and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piet Adema</span> Dutch politician (born 1964)

Pieter "Piet" Adema is a Dutch politician. From 3 October 2022 to 2 July 2024, he served as the minister of agriculture, nature and food quality on behalf of the Christian Union (CU) in the fourth Rutte cabinet.

A process of cabinet formation took place following the Dutch general election of 22 November 2023, leading to the Schoof cabinet on 2 July 2024. The coalition consisted of the Party for Freedom (PVV), the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), New Social Contract (NSC) and the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB). Despite ambitions to form an extra-parliamentary cabinet, the cabinet is generally considered a parliamentary cabinet.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "R.P. (Ruben) Brekelmans MPA, MSc". Parlement.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ruben Brekelmans". Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal . 31 March 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 Tacken, Tom (24 February 2021). "Keus genoeg voor rechtse kiezers op 17 maart in Midden-Brabant, armoe bij links" [Enough choice for the right-wing voter on 17 March in Central Brabant, not so much on the left wing]. Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Kandidaat Tweede Kamer en Gestelse VVD in gesprek met bewoners Sint Michielsgestel" [MP candidate and Gestel VVD in discussion with inhabitants of Sint-Michielsgestel]. Weekblad de Brug (in Dutch). 3 March 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Brekelmans, Ruben". HUTAC. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. ↑ Brekelemans, Ruben (2 March 2016). "Werkervaring als ingangseis voor masterstudies" [Job experience as an entry requirement for master's studies]. Het Financieele Dagblad (in Dutch). p. 15.
  7. 1 2 Brekelemans, Ruben (22 August 2015). "Er is meer nodig om wereldtoppers te trekken" [More is needed to attract world-class talent]. Het Financieele Dagblad (in Dutch). p. 6.
  8. ↑ Hoedeman, Jan (31 March 2021). "Beroepspoliticus is in opmars: veel nieuwe VVD'ers in Kamer werkten nooit in bedrijfsleven" [Professional politicians are getting common: many new VVD members in the House never worked in the private sector]. AD (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  9. 1 2 Lamboo, Martin (6 October 2020). "De bal ligt nu bij de uitvoering" [The ball is now in the court of the execution]. JenV Magazine (in Dutch). Vol. 3, no. 11.
  10. ↑ "Nevenactiviteiten van Ruben Brekelmans" [Other activities of Ruben Brekelmans]. Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "Focus en lef: Voor een sterk Nederland in een veilig Europa" [Focus and courage: For a strong Netherlands in a powerful Europe](PDF). VVD (in Dutch). p. 1. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  12. ↑ "Uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 17 maart 2021" [Results general election 17 March 2021](PDF). Kiesraad (in Dutch). 26 March 2021. p. 185. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "Ruben Brekelmans". VVD (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  14. ↑ Keultjes, Hanneke (3 February 2022). "Kabinet: 'Niet uit te sluiten' dat Nederlandse militairen 'enige training' moeten geven in Oekraïne" [Cabinet: 'Can't rule out' that Dutch soldiers would have to provide 'some training' in Ukraine]. Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  15. ↑ De Jong, Yteke; Muller, Mike (26 February 2022). "Kamerleden willen EU-luchtruim op slot voor Russen" [House members want to close EU airspace for Russians]. De Telegraaf (in Dutch).
  16. ↑ "VVD wil nog deze kabinetsperiode naar NAVO-norm van 2 procent" [VVD wants to reach NATO norm of 2 percent during this cabinet period already]. Noordhollands Dagblad (in Dutch). ANP Producties. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  17. ↑ Winterman, Peter (20 March 2022). "Europa gaat meer militair samenwerken: 'Samen optreden, vechten en materieel inkopen'" [Europe will cooperate more militarily: 'Act, fight, and purchase material jointly']. De Telegraaf (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  18. ↑ Brekelmans, Ruben (7 March 2022). "Ingezonden opinie: Laten we ruimte maken voor échte vluchtelingen" [Submitted opinion piece: Let us make room for real refugees]. EW . Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  19. ↑ "VVD wil dat kabinet kijkt of een tijdelijke asielstop mogelijk is" [VVD wants cabinet to look at possibility of temporary asylum halt]. Dagblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  20. ↑ Rutten, Rik (21 July 2023). "VVD zoekt toenadering tot PVV: samenwerken niet uitgesloten" [VVD seeks rapprochement to PVV: Not excluded from cooperation]. NRC (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  21. ↑ Vrijsen, Eric (21 July 2023). "Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) over asiel: 'Er moet iets stevigs gebeuren'" [Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) about refugees: 'Something drastic has to happen']. EW (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  22. ↑ Klaassen, Niels. "Nieuwe VVD-leider zet de deur voor PVV op een kier: 'Eerst is de kiezer aan zet'" [New VVD leader opens door a bit for the PVV: 'The voters can choose first']. AD (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Portefeuilleverdeling" [Portfolio allocation]. People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  24. ↑ "Ruben Brekelmans pleitbezorger van kleinere asielinstroom" [Ruben Brekelmans advocate of reduced influx of asylum seekers]. NOS (in Dutch). 13 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  25. ↑ "Ministers en staatssecretarissen kabinet-Schoof beëdigd" [Ministers and state secretaries of Schoof cabinet sworn in]. NOS (in Dutch). 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  26. ↑ Gotink, Bart (18 March 2021). "Oisterwijker Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) heeft een zetel en een baby" [Oisterwijk resident Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) has a seat and a baby]. Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  27. ↑ "Proces-verbaal verkiezingsuitslag Tweede Kamer 2021" [Report of the election results House of Representatives 2021](PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 29 March 2021. pp. 14–15. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Proces-verbaal van de uitslag van de verkiezing van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 2023 d.d. 4 december 2023" [Report of the results of the election of the House of Representatives on 4 December 2023](PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 4 December 2023. pp. 15–16. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Defence
2024–present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.