Jan Pieter Hendrik "Piet Hein" Donner (born October 20, 1948) is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). He is the Vice President of the Council of State since February 1, 2012. He previously served as a Member of the Council of State from December 22, 1997 until July 22, 2002. He became Minister of Justice serving from July 22, 2002 until September 21, 2006 in the Cabinets Balkenende I, II and III. He and Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment Sybilla Dekker resigned in the wake of a Dutch Safety Board enquiry into a fire at a cell block near Schiphol Airport. He then became a Member of the House of Representatives, serving from November 30, 2006 until February 22, 2007 when he became Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Cabinet Balkenende IV, serving until October 14, 2010 when he became Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Cabinet Rutte I. He resigned on December 16, 2011 after he was elected the new Vice President of the Council of State succeeding Herman Tjeenk Willink, he was replaced as Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations by fellow Christian Democratic Appeal party member Liesbeth Spies.[1][2][3][4]
Piet Hein Donner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vice President of the Council of State | |
| Assumed office February 1, 2012 | |
| Monarchs | Beatrix (2012-2013) Willem-Alexander (since 2013) |
| Preceded by | Herman Tjeenk Willink |
| Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations | |
| In office October 14, 2010 – December 16, 2011 | |
| Prime Minister | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Ernst Hirsch Ballin |
| Succeeded by | Liesbeth Spies |
| Minister of Social Affairs and Employment | |
| In office February 22, 2007 – October 14, 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Jan Peter Balkenende |
| Preceded by | Aart Jan de Geus |
| Succeeded by | Henk Kamp |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office November 30, 2006 – February 22, 2007 | |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office July 22, 2002 – September 21, 2006 | |
| Prime Minister | Jan Peter Balkenende |
| Preceded by | Benk Korthals |
| Succeeded by | Rita Verdonk |
| Member of the Council of State | |
| In office December 22, 1997 – July 22, 2002 | |
| Director of the Scientific Council for Government Policy | |
| In office January 1, 1993 – December 22, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Frans Rutten |
| Succeeded by | Michiel Scheltema |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jan Pieter Hendrik Donner October 20, 1948 Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Political party | Christian Democratic Appeal |
| Spouse(s) | Liesbeth Maria Quanjer (since 1973) |
| Children | 3 sons |
| Residence(s) | The Hague, Netherlands |
| Alma mater | Vrije Universiteit (Master of Laws) University of Michigan (Juris Doctor) |
| Occupation | Politician Civil servant Jurist |
| Website | Council of State |
Biography
Early life
The Donner family has produced a number of calvinist judges. Piet Hein Donner's father, André Donner, was a judge at the European Court of Justice in 1958-1979 and was part of the government commission that looked into Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands's dealing with the Lockheed Corporation. His grandfather was Jan Donner, who served as Minister of Justice for the Anti Revolutionary Party in the first cabinet of Dirk Jan de Geer and was later president of the Dutch Supreme Court. His uncle Jan Hein Donner, however, was a chess grandmaster and author. Piet Hein Donner studied Law at the Free University of Amsterdam, obtaining a degree in 1974. During his study, he joined the student society L.A.N.X. in 1968.
Politics
In 2006, Piet Hein Donner recorded a rap song together with Meester G to explain his point of view on the Dutch soft-drug policy. It was a reply to a song by Gerd Leers, Mayor of Maastricht, (with punk band Heideroosjes), which called for a more progressive policy which would not only regulate the selling of soft drugs, but also legalise their production.[5]
On 13 September 2006, Donner was the subject of controversy when he suggested Islamic law could be established in the Netherlands by democratic means. He responded by a clarification that he was not advocating such a scenario but warning against it.[6] That same month, a report of the investigative commission into a fire at Schiphol Airport jail was released, condemning Dutch government officials.[7] Donner, as responsible justice minister, resigned in aftermath of the report's conclusions. His successor was Ernst Hirsch Ballin, who had been justice minister in the third Lubbers cabinet.[8] Four months later, Donner was appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the new Cabinet, Balkenende IV.
External links
- Template:Nl Mr. J.P.H. (Piet Hein) Donner (Parlement & Politiek)
References
- ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Piet Hein Donner tipped for Council of State job, DutchNews, July 6, 2011
- ^ Template:Nl 'Spies volgt Donner op in kabinet', NU.nl, December 16, 2011
- ^ Template:Nl Benoeming Spies tot minister vrijdag verwacht, NOS, December 16, 2011
- ^ Template:Nl Donner naar Raad van State, NOS, December 16, 2011
- ^ Template:Nl 'Don' Donner rapt de dope van straat, NU.nl, February 25, 2006
- ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Netherlands: Minister Warns Islamic Law Could Happen Via Democracy, Western Resistance, September 13, 2006
- ^ Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{lang-en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Dutch ministers quit over blaze, BBC News, September 21, 2006
- ^ Template:Nl Oudgedienden op Justitie en VROM, NOS, September 22, 2006