Albert Hendrik "Benk" Korthals (born 5 October 1944) is a retired Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and jurist.
Benk Korthals | |
|---|---|
 Benk Korthals in 2011 | |
| Chairman of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | |
| In office 22 May 2011 – 14 June 2014 | |
| Leader | Mark Rutte |
| Preceded by | Ivo Opstelten |
| Succeeded by | Henry Keizer |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 22 July 2002 – 12 December 2002 | |
| Prime Minister | Jan Peter Balkenende |
| Preceded by | Frank de Grave |
| Succeeded by | Henk Kamp |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 | |
| Prime Minister | Wim Kok |
| Preceded by | Winnie Sorgdrager |
| Succeeded by | Piet Hein Donner |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 23 May 2002 – 22 July 2002 | |
| In office 16 September 1982 – 3 August 1998 | |
| Parliamentary group | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Albert Hendrik Korthals 5 October 1944 Voorschoten, Netherlands |
| Political party | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (from 1977) |
| Spouse |
Alexandra Stemerding
(m. 1977) |
| Children | 3 children |
| Parent |
|
| Residence(s) | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Alma mater | Leiden University (Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws) |
| Occupation | Politician · Jurist · Lawyer · Prosecutor |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Netherlands |
| Branch/service | Royal Netherlands Navy |
| Years of service | 1963–1965 (Conscription) 1965–1975 (Reserve) |
| Rank |  Lieutenant (J.G.) |
| Unit | Naval squadron |
| Battles/wars | Cold War |
Korthals attended the Gymnasium Leiden from June 1957 until June 1963 and applied at the Leiden University in June 1967 majoring in law and obtaining a Bachelor of Laws degree before graduating with a Master of Laws degree in July 1973. Korthals worked as a lawyer and prosecutor in Rotterdam from January 1974 until August 1998. Korthals was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives after the election of 1982, taking office on 16 September 1982. After the election of 1998 Korthals was appointed as Minister of Justice in the Cabinet Kok II, taking office on 3 August 1998. After the election of 2002 Korthals returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 23 May 2002. Following the cabinet formation of 2002 Korthals was appointment as Minister of Defence in the Cabinet Balkenende I, taking office on 22 July 2002. On 12 December 2002 Korthals resigned following the conclusions of a parliamentary inquiry report into a construction fraud investigation that was mishandled by him while serving as Minister of Justice. Korthals also served as Chairman of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy from 22 May 2011 until 14 June 2014.[1][2][3][4]
Decorations edit
| Honours | ||||
| Ribbon bar | Honour | Country | Date | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion | Netherlands | 28 April 1995 | |
|
Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau | Netherlands | 3 July 2003 | |
|
Commemorative Medal for Advancing Latvia's Membership to NATO | Latvia | 19 March 2004 | |
References edit
- ^ (in Dutch) Jezuïetenonderwijs had veel invloed op samenleving Archived March 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Kerknieuws.nl, 15 April 2009
- ^ (in Dutch) Benk Korthals voorgedragen als nieuwe VVD-voorzitter, Volkskrant, 17 March 2011
- ^ (in Dutch) Benk Korthals nieuwe voorzitter VVD, RTL Nederland, 22 April 2011
- ^ (in Dutch) Benk Korthals nieuwe voorzitter VVD Archived 2012-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, Telegraaf, 22 April 2011
External links edit
- Official
- (in Dutch) Mr. A.H. (Benk) Korthals Parlement & Politiek
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