Bert de Vries, Dutch politician

Berend "Bert" de Vries, born on March 29, 1938, is a distinguished retired Dutch politician and economist, widely recognized for his significant contributions to the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and to Dutch public life. His career spanned decades, encompassing roles from tax collector and financial analyst to a prominent parliamentary leader, a government minister, and an influential figure in the private, public, and academic sectors.

Early Life and Education

De Vries’s educational journey began at a Lyceum in Groningen, which he attended from April 1950 until May 1958. Demonstrating an early aptitude for finance and economics, he embarked on a dual academic path. In June 1958, he enrolled at the National Tax Academy in Rotterdam, successfully completing his training as a tax collector by August 1959. Concurrently, from July 1958, he pursued higher education at the University of Groningen, majoring in Economics. He earned his Bachelor of Economics degree in June 1960 and continued as a student researcher before ultimately graduating with a Master of Economics degree in July 1964. His thirst for knowledge didn't stop there; in January 1968, De Vries pursued postgraduate studies in Financial Economics at the Free University Amsterdam, culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy degree in July 1970.

Professional Beginnings and Academic Pursuits

Even before completing his Master's, De Vries had already begun his professional life. From August 1959 until July 1964, he served as a civil servant for the Province of Groningen, working diligently as a tax collector for the Tax and Customs Administration. Following this, he transitioned into the corporate world, taking on the role of a financial analyst for the renowned Philips company in Eindhoven from July 1964 until January 1968. Beyond his professional roles, his academic interests continued to flourish. From May 1968 until November 1978, he dedicated himself to research at the prestigious Erasmus University Rotterdam, contributing to the academic discourse in economics. During this period, he also engaged with party politics, serving on the Executive Board of the Anti-Revolutionary Party (which later merged into the CDA) from March 1975 until November 1978.

A Distinguished Political Career

Berend de Vries’s ascent into national politics marked a new chapter of influence and responsibility. He entered the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, on November 21, 1978, filling a vacancy left by Willem Aantjes. Immediately, he became a key frontbencher and spokesperson for a wide array of portfolios, including Economic Affairs, Social Affairs, Civil Service, Small Business, and Provincial Government Affairs, while also serving as deputy spokesperson for Social Work and Local Government Affairs. His expertise and leadership quickly became apparent.

Parliamentary Leadership

After the 1982 general election, when Ruud Lubbers, then Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal and Parliamentary Leader, became Prime Minister in the Cabinet Lubbers I, De Vries was approached to succeed him. He accepted this significant responsibility, taking office as Parliamentary Leader on November 4, 1982. This made him a crucial figure in Dutch politics, guiding the largest party in parliament. When Lubbers returned as Parliamentary Leader on June 3, 1986, following the 1986 election, the political landscape shifted again. However, after the cabinet formation of 1986, Lubbers continued as Prime Minister in the Cabinet Lubbers II, and De Vries was again entrusted with the role of Parliamentary Leader, taking office on July 14, 1986. As the leader of the largest parliamentary faction, he also chaired the parliamentary committee for Intelligence and Security, underscoring his influence and access to sensitive matters. After the 1989 election, Lubbers once more assumed the Parliamentary Leadership on September 14, 1989, concluding a significant tenure for De Vries in this demanding role.

Ministerial Role

Following the cabinet formation of 1989, Berend de Vries transitioned from a powerful parliamentary role to a direct government position. He was appointed as Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Cabinet Lubbers III, taking office on November 7, 1989. His commitment to public service extended further when he briefly served as acting Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Fisheries from September 18, 1990, until September 28, 1990, following the resignation of Gerrit Braks. In December 1993, De Vries announced his decision to retire from national politics, choosing not to stand for the 1994 election. His ministerial term concluded when the Cabinet Lubbers III was replaced by the Cabinet Kok I on August 22, 1994.

Post-Political Career and Legacy

Upon his semi-retirement from national politics, Berend de Vries remained incredibly active, leveraging his vast experience in both the private and public sectors. He held numerous positions as a corporate and nonprofit director, serving on the boards of major entities like Unilever, the Energy Research Centre, the Tinbergen Institute, NIBC Bank, and Arcadis. He also contributed his expertise to several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government, including the Public Pension Funds APB, the National Insurance Bank, the Council for Culture, Statistics Netherlands, the Cadastre Agency, the Social Employment Act Commission, and the Social and Economic Council. His leadership extended to the healthcare sector as well, where he served as Chairman of the executive board for the Hospitals association from June 1995 until August 2001. Beyond these formal roles, De Vries was a vocal advocate, lobbyist, and activist, particularly for the anti-war movement, human rights, and the two-state solution for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He also returned to academia as a distinguished professor of Financial Economics at the Erasmus University Rotterdam from December 1, 1994, until December 1, 1998. In a final act of party leadership, De Vries served as Chairman of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) from October 10, 2001, until November 2, 2002, following the resignation of Marnix van Rij. Known for his exceptional abilities as a negotiator and manager, Berend de Vries continued to offer insightful commentary on political affairs until his full retirement in 2018. He holds the notable distinction as the second longest-serving Parliamentary Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal in the House of Representatives, having served for an impressive 6 years and 273 days.

Frequently Asked Questions About Berend "Bert" de Vries

Who is Berend "Bert" de Vries?
Berend "Bert" de Vries is a retired Dutch politician and economist, a prominent member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party, known for his long and influential career in Dutch politics and public service.
When was Berend de Vries born?
He was born on March 29, 1938.
What political party was Berend de Vries affiliated with?
He was a key figure within the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party throughout his political career, and earlier, the Anti-Revolutionary Party.
What were his most significant political roles?
De Vries served as a Member of the House of Representatives, was the Parliamentary Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal for two non-consecutive terms (a total of 6 years and 273 days), and held the position of Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Cabinet Lubbers III.
What is his academic background?
He holds a Master of Economics degree from the University of Groningen and a Doctor of Philosophy in Financial Economics from the Free University Amsterdam, in addition to a background as a trained tax collector.
What did he do after retiring from national politics?
After leaving national politics, Berend de Vries remained highly active, serving on numerous corporate and non-profit boards, state commissions, and councils. He also worked as a distinguished professor of Financial Economics and was an advocate for human rights and the anti-war movement.