14 Facts About Jaap Burger

Jacobus Albertus Wilhelmus "Jaap" Burger was a Dutch politician of the Social Democratic Workers' Party and later co-founder of the Labour Party and jurist.

Jaap Burger was granted the honorary title of Minister of State on 4 January 1975.

Jaap Burger worked as a lawyer in Dordrecht from October 1929 until December 1942.

Jaap Burger joined the Dutch resistance against the German occupiers in August 1942.

In January 1943 Jaap Burger escaped the German occupation to England.

Jaap Burger worked as political advisor for Minister of Social Affairs Jan van den Tempel from February 1943 until August 1943.

Jaap Burger was appointed as Minister for Return Policy in the Gerbrandy II cabinet by Queen Wilhelmina, taking office on 11 August 1943.

Jaap Burger was appointed as Minister of the Interior following the resignation of Hendrik van Boeijen, taking office on 31 May 1944.

Jaap Burger became active in the public sector and worked as media administrator for the public broadcaster VARA serving as chairman of the supervisory board from 12 February 1949 until 20 December 1966.

Jaap Burger served as president of the Benelux Parliament from 1 January 1958 until 1 January 1959.

On 16 September 1962 Jaap Burger announced that he was stepping down as party leader and parliamentary leader following increasing criticism on his leadership.

Jaap Burger remained in active in national politics, he was elected to the Senate after the 1963 Senate election, taking office on 5 June 1963 serving as a frontbencher and spokesperson for defence and deputy spokesperson for foreign affairs, European affairs and NATO.

Jaap Burger was selected as a Member of the European Parliament and dual served in those positions, taking office on 20 October 1966.

Jaap Burger was nominated as a Member of the Council of State, serving from 1 October 1970 until 1 September 1979.