Efraïn Jonckheer

Efraïn Jonckheer (20 October 1917 – 30 March 1987) was a businessman and politician of the Netherlands Antilles. Jonckheer served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles from 8 November 1954 until 14 February 1968. He served as Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles from 1968 until 1971, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Venezuela from 1971 until 1976, and to Costa Rica from 1976 until 1982. As of 2022, Jonckheer was the longest-serving prime minister in the history of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Biography Jonckheer was born on 20 October 1917 in Curaçao. In 1933, he obtained his mulo (junior high school) diploma, and became director of several businesses. During World War II, he became politically active, and desired autonomy for the islands. In 1944, he was one of the founders of the Democratic Party, In 1948 and 1952 until 1954, he was the representative of the Netherlands Antilles in the Round Table Conference about the future of the Dutch empire. He would subsequently serve as Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles until 1971. however the Council of Ministers voted against the nomination.

On 30 March 1987 Jonkcheer died in Amsterdam, at the age of 69.

Honours Honorary doctorate in law at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (1965). Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.