Hans Wiegel. The biography

Few politicians have left such an indelible mark on Dutch politics as Hans Wiegel. His rhetorical talents, his 'common man's language', his wit, his ability to distil complex issues to their essence, and his humor quickly earned him a large following. In 1967, at the age of 25, this 'Gooi Amsterdammer' entered the Lower House, at that time the youngest MP ever. He was leader of the opposition during the Den Uyl cabinet. He experienced his finest hour as a VVD politician in 1977. Wiegel became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior (1977-1981). To many people's surprise, he left Hague politics in 1982 at the age of 41 and became Queen's Commissioner in Friesland. His personal life was marked by the tragic deaths of his first and second wives, both killed in traffic accidents. In 'Hans Wiegel', Pieter Sijpersma describes the life of one of the most talented and most controversial politicians of the post-World War II era, with a keen eye for telling details and striking anecdotes. His biography is at the same time a description of the political climate in the 1970s and 1980s – and of Dutch culture at that time.