Eric Wiebes
| Eric Wiebes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| State Secretary of Finance | |
|
Assumed office 4 February 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Frans Weekers |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
12 March 1963 Delft, Netherlands |
| Political party |
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater |
Delft University of Technology European Institute of Business Administration |
Eric Derk Wiebes (born 12 March 1963) is a Dutch politician for the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. He serves as State Secretary of Finance since 4 February 2014 in the Second Rutte cabinet. His predecessor, Frans Weekers, resigned on 30 January. Wiebes earlier served as alderman for the municipality of Amsterdam between 2010 and 2014, holding the portfolio concerning traffic, ICT and infrastructure.[1]
Early life and career
Wiebes was born in Delft but grew up in Muiderberg. His father, a nuclear physicist died when he was nine years old.[2] He completed his v.w.o. (secondary education) in nearby Bussum, graduating in 1981. He continued his studies the same year at Delft University of Technology studying mechanical engineering. In 1986 he graduated, having specialized himself in policy functions concerning government.[1] Wiebes then started working in the private sector, being employed at Shell, McKinsey & Company, and OC&C Strategy Consultants between 1987 and 2004. In 1991 he earned an MBA in business administration at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. From 2004 until 2010 he was employed at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the last three years of which he was deputy secretary-general.[1]
Political career
Wiebes discussed his future career together with MP Willibrord van Beek. Van Beek advised taking up a position as alderman. Wiebes declined two offers from smaller municipalities which he deemed not challenging enough.[2] In 2010 the municipality of Amsterdam was searching for a new alderman from the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. Eric van der Burg, the local party leader, informed if Van Beek knew a candidate, Van Beek then advised choosing Wiebes.[2] Prime Minister Mark Rutte put Wiebes name forward as well.[3] Wiebes accepted the offer. As alderman in Amsterdam Wiebes dealt with problematic topics such as the municipal ICT, air quality, construction of the new Noord/Zuidlijn metro-line, and the local taxi-market.[3]
On 30 January 2014 Frans Weekers resigned as Secretary of Finance. As successor to Weekers Wiebes is tasked with solving the problems at the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration.[4]
In May 2015, after an investigation of a committee of the European Parliament on a tax deal the Netherlands made with Starbucks, Wiebes stated that the Netherlands was not a tax haven.[5]
Personal life
Wiebes has two children.[2] He is an atheist.[6]
References
- 1 2 3 "Ir. E.D. (Eric) Wiebes MBA" (in Dutch). Parlement.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Hugo Logtenberg, Bas Soetenhorst (3 February 2014). "Eric Wiebes: zeer intelligent en met een lenige geest" (in Dutch). Het Parool. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- 1 2 Jeroen Visser (3 February 2014). "Eric Wiebes: uitstekende probleemoplosser en 'ook nog een leuke vent'" (in Dutch). de Volkskrant. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ↑ Laura Klompenhouwer (4 February 2014). "De nieuwe man op Financiën. Wie is Wiebes en wat staat hem te doen?" (in Dutch). NRC Handelsblad. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ↑ "Nederland is volgens staatssecretaris Wiebes geen belastingparadijs" (in Dutch). NU.nl. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ↑ Tom Reijner (3 February 2014). "VVD'er Eric Wiebes 'doet niet aan politiek gekonkel'". Elsevier. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
External links
- (Dutch) Parlement.com biography
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Frans Weekers |
State Secretary of Finance 2014–present |
Incumbent |
 |
| | |
European Union Portal | |||
