Loek Hermans
Loek Hermans (born on April 23th, 1951 in Heerlen) is a Dutch politician for the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) in the Dutch Senate. He was a member of the House of Representatives, mayor of Zwolle, the Queen's Commissioner of Friesland and Minister of Education, Culture and Science in the Cabinet-Cook II. Since 2007 Hermans has benn a member of the Senate of the States General.
Political Career
In 1969 Hermans became a member of the VVD. From September 3th, 1974 until September 5th, 1978, Hermans was member of the city council of Nijmegen. At the parliamentary elections in 1977, he was elected to the parliament. In 1986, Hermans was defeated by Joris Voorhoeve in a battle for the Chairmanship of the VVD. From September 1988 until September 1990 he was the Vice Chairman of the VVD.
Hermans left the House in 1990 and became the mayor of Zwolle. From 1994 until 1998 he was Commissioner of the Province of Friesland. In 1998 Hermans became Minister of Education, Culture and Science in the Cabinet-Cook II. After the general elections in 2002 he was again briefly a member of the Lower House. After the formation of the Balkenende I in July 2002, he suddenly decided to leave national politics and give up his seat. In 2007 Hermans became a member of the Dutch Senate. Since February 2011 he has been the chairman of the Liberal Group in the Senate and he was party leader on behalf of his party by the elections to the Senate in 2011.
Education
Loek Hermans studied Political Science (Public Administration) at the University of Nijmegen from 1969 until 1976.
