Barry Madlener

Barry Madlener (born 6 January 1969) is a Dutch politician, who served as Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Schoof cabinet from July 2, 2024, until June 3, 2025, when the PVV left the Schoof cabinet. A member of the Party for Freedom (PVV), he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2006. He became the PVV's leader in the European Parliament following the 2009 election. Madlener resigned from that position to again serve in the House of Representatives from the 2012 general election until 2024.

Biography Early life During his youth, Madlener lived in the south seaside village of Oostvoorne with his parents and older sister. He later moved to Rotterdam for his studies. After graduating from high school he became a real estate agent and spent a number of years selling commercial real estate. On 14 March 2002 he was inaugurated as a member of the municipal council of Rotterdam for Livable Rotterdam, a position he held until 2007. Over the years, he has advocated merging passenger railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen and railway infrastructure management organization ProRail, and he has opposed establishing an international rail connection between Eindhoven and Aachen in Germany.

In its governing agreement, the cabinet committed to limiting air traffic movements from and to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, to reduce noise pollution for local residents by 20% over time. In his final plan, Madlener proposed to reduce air traffic movements to 478,000 in 2025, down from 500,000, which would result in a 15% noise pollution reduction. The House later urged Madlener, without success, to stick to a 17% reduction, which had been agreed to before. Responding to unsafe situations and nuisance caused by electric fatbikes, the House passed a motion by the VVD and NSC calling on Madlener to set a minimum driving age of 14 and to require helmets. He did not comply with the demand, arguing that fatbikes could not easily be distinguished from other electric bicycles and that they do not come with increased risk.

Madlener worked with provinces and water companies on plans to ensure the reliable supply of potable water, following warnings of a potential future shortage. They agreed in January 2025 to closely cooperate to select and more quickly develop new water extraction sites.

Personal life Madlener has been a long-time resident of the South Holland village of Rockanje. He met his wife in Brussels, and their son was born in 2013.

Electoral history + YearBodyPartyVotesResult.Party seatsIndividual 2006 House of Representatives Party for Freedom 7 344 9 2009 European Parliament Party for Freedom 1 382,610 4 2010 House of Representatives Party for Freedom 47 260 24 2012 House of Representatives Party for Freedom 8 829 15 2017 House of Representatives Party for Freedom 7 987 20 2021 House of Representatives Party for Freedom 10 532 17 2023 House of Representatives Party for Freedom 12 693 37 2025 House of Representatives Party for Freedom 80 564 26