Jan Peter Balkenende Quotes

A collection of quotes by Jan Peter Balkenende.

Jan Peter Balkenende is a Dutch politician who served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2002 to 2010. He was born on May 7, 1956, in Kapelle, Netherlands. Balkenende entered politics as a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) in the early 1990s and quickly rose through the ranks of the party.

In 2002, Balkenende became the leader of CDA and was appointed as the Prime Minister, taking over the role from Wim Kok. During his tenure, Balkenende led the Netherlands through a period of economic growth and implemented significant reforms in healthcare, education, and welfare systems. He also played a key role in strengthening international political relations, particularly within the European Union.

Balkenende's leadership further faced numerous challenges, including the country's participation in the Iraq War, the assassination of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, and the global financial crisis of 2008.

After serving two terms as Prime Minister, Balkenende resigned in 2010. Following his political career, he has been involved in various international roles, such as serving as a professor of Governance, Institutions, and Internationalisation at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and as an advisor to various organizations.

Overall, Balkenende is considered a prominent figure in Dutch politics, known for his moderate and pragmatic approach to governance.