Anne Vondeling

Anne Vondeling (2 March 1916 – 22 November 1979) was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA) and agronomist.

Biography Vondeling studied Agronomy at the Wageningen Agricultural College obtaining a Master of Science in Engineering degree and worked as a researcher at his alma mater before finishing his thesis and graduated as a Doctor of Engineering in agricultural engineering. Vondeling worked as an agronomist and agricultural engineer in Friesland from November 1940 until July 1945 and as a director of an agricultural firm in Leeuwarden from July 1945 until January 1958. Vondeling became a member of the House of Representatives shortly after the election of 1946 on 25 July 1946 and served as spokesperson for agriculture. Vondeling was appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supplies in the Drees III cabinet following a cabinet reshuffle taking office on 13 January 1958. The Drees III cabinet fell just 11 months later and was replaced on 22 December 1958. Shortly thereafter Labour Leader Willem Drees announced his retirement and Vondeling served as one of the lead candidates (top candidates) for the 1959 general election. After the election, Vondeling returned to the House of Representatives on 20 March 1959 and served as spokesperson for finance. Vondeling also worked as a professor of agricultural science and international relations at the University of Groningen from January 1960 until January 1963. After the Labour Leader and Parliamentary leader Jaap Burger announced he was stepping down Vondeling was unanimously selected as his successor on 16 September 1962.

For the 1963 general election Vondeling served again as one of the lead candidates. After the fall of the Marijnen cabinet a successful cabinet formation formed the Cals cabinet with Vondeling appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance taking office on 14 April 1965. In September 1966 Vondeling unexpectedly announced that he was stepping down as leader but continued to serve in the cabinet. The Cals cabinet fell just one year into its term after the Night of Schmelzer and was replaced on 22 November 1966. After the 1967 general election, Vondeling returned to the House of Representatives on 23 February 1967 and served again as spokesperson for finance. Vondeling also served as party chairman from 7 March 1969 until 1 May 1971. After the 1972 general election, Vondeling was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives on 7 December 1972. After the 1977 general election Vondeling was re-elected as Speaker. In May 1979 Vondeling announced that he would stand for the 1979 European Parliament election and would resign from the House of Representatives. In the European Parliament election Vondeling was elected as a Member of the European Parliament and became delegation leader on 17 July 1979. On 22 November 1979 Vondeling died after suffering a fatal car crash in Mechelen, Belgium at 63. The Anne Vondeling prize is given annually to journalists who write in a clear manner concerning political subjects.

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