13 Facts About Edzo Toxopeus

Edzo Toxopeus worked as a paralegal in Breda from July 1942 until October 1944 and worked as a military lawyer in the Royal Netherlands Army from November 1944 until August 1945.

Edzo Toxopeus worked as a criminal defense lawyer in Breda from August 1945 until May 1959.

Edzo Toxopeus became as a Member of the House of Representatives shortly after the election of 1956 when the number of seats was increased from 100 to 150 on 6 November 1956 and served as a frontbencher and spokesperson for Law Enforcement and Spatial Planning.

Shortly before an upcoming election Party Leader and Parliamentary leader Pieter Oud announced his retirement and Edzo Toxopeus announced his candidacy to succeed him and was selected as his successor on 30 March 1963.

Edzo Toxopeus returned to the House of Representatives on 21 September 1965 but against custom didn't take over as Parliamentary leader immediately and instead served as a frontbencher chairing the House Committee on the Interior and served as deputy parliamentary leader and spokesperson for General Affairs before taking over as Parliamentary leader on 12 March 1966.

Edzo Toxopeus served as President of the Liberal International from 15 April 1966 until 25 April 1970.

On 1 October 1969 Edzo Toxopeus unexpectedly announced he was stepping down as Leader but continued to serve in the House of Representatives as a backbencher until his resignation on 1 November 1969.

Edzo Toxopeus continued to be active in politics and in January 1970 was nominated as the next Queen's Commissioner of Groningen serving from 16 February 1970 until 1 November 1980.

Edzo Toxopeus became active in the private and public sectors as a corporate and non-profit director and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government.

In October 1970 Edzo Toxopeus was nominated as a Member of the Council of State serving from 1 November 1980 until 1 March 1988.

Edzo Toxopeus retired from active politics at 70 but continued to be active as an advocate and lobbyist for more European integration and served as an occasional diplomat for economic and diplomatic delegations for the European Union.

Edzo Toxopeus was known for his abilities as a skillful manager and effective negotiator.

Edzo Toxopeus granted the honorary title of Minister of State on 22 January 1985 and continued to comment on political affairs as a statesman until his death in August 2009 at the age of 91.