Ruben Brekelmans

House of Representatives Brekelmans was the VVD's thirtieth candidate in the 2021 general election and was elected to the House of Representatives with 1,539 preference votes. He was sworn in on 31 March and became his party's spokesperson for foreign policy, international cultural policy, and extensions of foreign missions. Migration was later added to his specialties. During the Russian military build-up ahead of its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Brekelmans advocated sending weapons to Ukraine, and he kept pleading for strong sanctions after the start of the invasion including closing the European Union's airspace for Russian airliners. Furthermore, Brekelmans was in support of quickly increasing spending on the Dutch military such that its budget would adhere to the NATO norm of 2% of GDP, and he wanted more security, defense, and migration cooperation in the European Union, although he opposed a European army.

In an opinion piece, he wrote that he wanted to deport asylum seekers whose application had been rejected to make room for "real refugees" from Ukraine. He also raised the possibility of temporarily halting new asylum applications in light of capacity problems at asylum seekers' centers. Shortly after the collapse of the fourth Rutte cabinet resulting from disagreements about immigration reform, Brekelmans argued in favor of cooperation with the Party for Freedom (PVV), including as a confidence partner for a minority government. The VVD and its leader Mark Rutte had dismissed the PVV for years due to a failed coalition in the early 2010s and its anti-immigration and anti-Islam stances. Brekelmans said that he kept his party's objections against the PVV but that their support might be necessary to solve immigration issues. He suggested the yearly influx of immigrants would have to be reduced by at least 50,000. The JOVD and former VVD politician Ed Nijpels criticized Brekelmans's comments, while VVD lead candidate Dilan Yeşilgöz weeks later also did not dismiss future cooperation with the PVV. Following the 2023 general election, Brekelmans served as his party's spokesperson for foreign affairs (excluding Europe) and migration.

Committee memberships In the House, Brekelmans was on the following committees: In September 2024, Brekelmans and State Secretary Gijs Tuinman announced €2.4 billion in increased yearly funding for the Netherlands Armed Forces. Coalition parties agreed to increase defense spending to adhere to the NATO norm of 2% of GDP in response the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The additional funding would go towards attracting more personnel and the purchase of munitions, 50 Leopard 2A8 battle tanks, six F-35 fighter jets, two Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates, and several NH90 military helicopters. The Netherlands had been left without tanks since 2011 because of budget cuts. An additional €716 million in funding was added in November 2024 to meet the spending norm.

Brekelmans argued that increased defense spending was necessary due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He also said that peace, in contrast to an armistice, could only be achieved if Ukraine would receive security guarantees and if NATO would be strengthened. However, according to Brekelmans, the underlying threat and aggression of the Russian regime would remain, requiring sustained higher levels of European defense spending.

Honours and decorations Foreign honours Order of Merit, third class (2023).

Personal life Brekelmans lives in the North Brabant town Oisterwijk.

Electoral history

+ YearBodyPartyVotesResult.Party seatsIndividual 2021 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 30 1,539 34 2023 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 6 13,902 24 2025 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 3 166,730 22