Jack de Vries (politician)

Jacob Gabe "Jack" de Vries (born 25 July 1968) is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and political consultant.

Jack de Vries
Jack de Vries in 2009
State Secretary for Defence
In office
18 December 2007 – 18 May 2010
Prime MinisterJan Peter Balkenende
Preceded byCees van der Knaap
Succeeded byBarbara Visser (2017)
Personal details
Born
Jacob Gabe de Vries

(1968-07-25) 25 July 1968 (age 55)
Drachten, Netherlands
Political partyChristian Democratic Appeal
Residence(s)Leiderdorp, Netherlands
Alma materRoyal Military Academy
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
(Bachelor of Social Science, Master of Social Science)
OccupationPolitician · Army Officer · Political consultant · Nonprofit director · Political pundit · Lobbyist
Military service
Allegiance Netherlands
Branch/serviceRoyal Netherlands Army
Years of service1993–1994 (Conscription)
1994–1996 (Active duty)
1996–1998 (Reserve)
Rank Lieutenant
UnitRegiment Huzaren Prins Alexander

Politics edit

De Vries studied at the VU University Amsterdam where he in 1992 obtained a MSc degree in political science. He was leader of the Christian Democratic youth movement (CDJA) and completed his military service with a stint as communications advisor to the Dutch Army. Never away from national politics, he became media spokesman of the CDA parliamentary faction in 1997, serving under Enneüs Heerma and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. De Vries then became advisor to Jan Peter Balkenende who became political leader of the CDA in October 2001, after De Hoop Scheffer's lijsttrekker candidacy was not supported by the party. Balkenende won the 2002 elections, became Prime Minister, and brought de Vries with him to the Ministry of General Affairs.[1]

In 2005, De Vries was appointed as CDA campaign chairman, and lead them through the 2006 municipal elections, the 2006 general election, and the 2007 provincial elections.[2]

Resignation edit

He resigned on 14 May 2010 after admitting to an extra-marital affair with his personal aide a few days earlier. He announced his retirement from politics the same day.[3]

References edit

External links edit

Official
Political offices
Preceded by State Secretary for Defence
2008–2010
Succeeded by