30 Facts About Vivianne Heijnen

Vivianne Heijnen served as Minister for the Environment as part of the fourth Rutte cabinet starting in January 2022 until the start of her maternity leave in May 2024.

Vivianne Heijnen did not return afterwards, as the Schoof cabinet was formed in July 2024.

Vivianne Heijnen was previously head of the Brussels campus of her alma mater Maastricht University, and she was active in local politics in Maastricht as municipal councilor and alderwoman.

Vivianne Heijnen was born and raised in Spaubeek, a village in Limburg, with her brother.

Vivianne Heijnen attended the Geleen secondary school Graaf Huyn College and started studying law at Maastricht University in 2000.

Vivianne Heijnen left two years later to study European studies at the same university and received her Master of Arts degree in European public affairs in 2006.

Vivianne Heijnen subsequently worked as a freelance lobbyist in Brussels for clients such as pension fund ABP.

Vivianne Heijnen took a job as tutor at Maastricht University in 2008 and became head of its Brussels campus the following year.

Vivianne Heijnen left her job upon her appointment as alderwoman two months later.

Vivianne Heijnen participated in the March 2010 municipal election in Maastricht, being placed fourth on the CDA's party list.

Vivianne Heijnen had decided to become politically involved as a result of her role as a lobbyist.

Vivianne Heijnen's party won seven seats in the council, but Heijnen was not elected as candidates lower on the list had cleared the preference vote threshold.

Vivianne Heijnen was re-elected to the council in March 2014 as lead candidate, while her party lost two seats.

Vivianne Heijnen headed a confidential committee in 2015 to find a new mayor for Maastricht, which recommended Annemarie Penn-te Strake.

Vivianne Heijnen tried without success to bring the headquarters of the European Medicines Agency from London to South Limburg, when it had to be relocated as a result of Brexit.

Vivianne Heijnen ran for member of parliament in the 2017 general election as the CDA's 26th candidate.

Locally, Vivianne Heijnen was again her party's lead candidate in the March 2018 municipal elections.

Vivianne Heijnen left the council on 18 June 2018 to become alderwoman and deputy mayor in the new municipal executive.

Vivianne Heijnen's responsibilities included the economy, the job market, regionalization, housing, well-being, permits, social innovation, and smart city.

Vivianne Heijnen stepped down as alderwoman when she was appointed Minister for the Environment in January 2022.

Vivianne Heijnen withdrew herself as lead candidate in the 2022 municipal elections.

Vivianne Heijnen became a member of the new fourth Rutte cabinet and was sworn in on 10 January 2022 at Noordeinde Palace by King Willem-Alexander.

Vivianne Heijnen serves as Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management, succeeding Steven van Weyenberg, but internationally she wears the title of Minister for the Environment.

Vivianne Heijnen's portfolio includes environment, soil, public transport, railways, international public transport, cycling policy, sustainable transport, the KNMI, the ANVS, and the PBL.

In March 2022, Vivianne Heijnen announced a ban on disposable plastic cups and meal packaging in the office, on festivals, and in hotels and restaurants starting in 2024 in line with the European Union's Single-Use Plastics Directive to decrease waste.

Vivianne Heijnen later announced the rule would not be fully enforced following critical motions from the House of Representatives.

However, the European Commission warned a market analysis would have to be performed to consider alternative railway operators, and it started an infringement procedure alleging Vivianne Heijnen intended to award the concession without a tender shortly before new EU competition regulations would mandate it.

Vivianne Heijnen accepted the introduction of a rush hour charge to spread out passenger load.

Vivianne Heijnen promised the House of Representatives to revisit the latter following widespread criticism.

Vivianne Heijnen went on maternity leave starting 25 May 2024, and her tasks were performed by Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers.