Hans Gruijters

Johannes Petrus Adrianus (Hans) Gruijters (Helmond, June 30 1931 – Lelystad, April 17 2005) was a Dutch politician, and a co-founder of the Dutch social-liberal party D66

Biography

Hans Gruijters studied psychology and political and social sciences at the University of Amsterdam. In 1954 he received his PhD in psychology. After that he became the executive secretary with a textile company in Helmond. Later he was a joint proprietor of various companies in hotel and catering industry in Amsterdam. From 1960 to 1967 he ran the foreign affairs section of the Dutch paper "Algemeen Handelsblad". From 1971 to 1973 he was the main editor of the VNU – a Dutch media conglomerate. As a politician Gruijters was an active member of the VVD. Later he became one of the founders of the D66.

Until 1966 Gruijters was a member of the VVD. As of 1959 he acted as the chairman of the Amsterdam’s JOVD. From November 1962 until March 21 1966 he was VVD’s representative in the Amsterdam’s city council. After a conflict which had been provoked by his decision not to attend the wedding ceremony of Princess Beatrix and Claus von Amsberg he left the VVD. He thought that the marriage would not contribute to the social role that the royal house should play in society.

Together with Hans van Mierlo he founded D66 in 1966 . From July 7 1970 to 1971 he was a member of the Provincial Council of North Holland. As of December 7 1972 until May 11 1973 he was a deputy of the Lower House of Dutch Parliament. From May 11 1973 until December 19 1977 he was a minister of public housing and environmental planning in the cabinet of Den Uyl. In 2004 he left the D66 as he felt no longer to be welcome there.