Gert-Jan Segers Explained

Gert-Jan Segers
Office1:Leader of the Christian Union
Term Start1:10 November 2015
Term End1:17 January 2023
Predecessor1:Arie Slob
Successor1:Mirjam Bikker
Office2:Leader of the Christian Union
in the House of Representatives
Term Start2:10 November 2015
Term End2:17 January 2023
Predecessor2:Arie Slob
Successor2:Mirjam Bikker
Office3:Member of the House of Representatives
Term Start3:20 September 2012
Term End3:20 January 2023
Birth Date:9 July 1969
Birth Place:Lisse, Netherlands
Nationality:Dutch
Party:Christian Union
Otherparty:Reformatory Political Federation (until 2001)
Relations:Married
Children:3
Alma Mater:Leiden University (BSc, MSc)

Gert Jan Maarten "Gert-Jan" Segers (born 9 July 1969) is a Dutch politician who was Leader of the Christian Union between 2015 and 2023. He has been a member of the House of Representatives between 2012 and 2023 and was parliamentary leader between 2015 and 2023.[1]

Early career

A native of Lisse, Segers studied political science at Leiden University and obtained a master's degree in WesternIslamic relations and the Middle East at Johns Hopkins University. From 2000 to 2007 he was a Christian missionary in Egypt. From 2008 to 2012, he was the chairman of the Christian Union think tank Mr. G. Groen van Prinsterer Stichting.[2] He is also a columnist for the Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad; he wrote two books criticising political Islam, as well as two novels.

Politics

Segers entered the House of Representatives following the 2012 general election. In 2015, he succeeded Arie Slob as party leader and parliamentary leader. In the 2017 general election, the Christian Union remained stable with five seats. Prime Minister Mark Rutte first turned toward GroenLinks to form his third cabinet, but policy disagreement between the parties prevented participation. Rutte then turned toward the Christian Union, who accepted the offer to govern: two Christian Union members were appointed (Carola Schouten and Arie Slob).

On 13 January 2023, Segers announced his resignation as leader of the Christian Union. He was succeeded by Mirjam Bikker on 17 January.[3] [2]

Personal

Gert-Jan Segers is married and has three children. Theo Segers, the former Mayor of Staphorst and current Mayor of Molenlanden, is his cousin.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hooglander Gert-Jan Segers nieuwe fractievoorzitter ChristenUnie . nl . RTV Utrecht . 10 November 2015 . 5 December 2015.
  2. Web site: Drs G.J Segers. parlement.com.
  3. Web site: CU-leider Segers vertrekt uit politiek: 'Na tien jaar is het mooi geweest' . NOS.nl . Dutch . 13 January 2023 . 17 January 2023.
  4. Web site: Vogelaar . L. . 2015-06-24 . Ik wil vooral goed naar de mensen luisteren” . 2023-11-11 . Digibron.nl . nl.