Role Dutch Politician Preceded by Cees van der Knaap | Nationality Dutch Name Jack Vries | |
 | ||
Full Name Jacob Gabe de Vries Born 25 July 1968 (age 55)
Drachten, Netherlands ( 1968-07-25 ) Political party Christian Democratic Appeal Alma mater Vrije Universiteit (MSc) Occupation Politician
Civil servant
Political consultant Spouse Harriet de Jong (m. ?–2010) Party Christian Democratic Appeal Children Timon de Vries, Joram de Vries, Elisa Jacobine de Vries | ||
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende Residence Leiderdorp, Netherlands Education VU University Amsterdam | ||
Eenvandaag kees boonman over vertrek jack de vries
Jacob Gabe "Jack" de Vries (born 25 July 1968) is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). He served as State Secretary for Defence from 18 December 2007 until 14 May 2010. Prior to his resignation, he served as the longtime political advisor of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
Contents
Politics
De Vries studied at the VU University Amsterdam where he in 1992 obtained a MSc degree in political science. He was leader of the Christian Democratic youth movement (CDJA) and completed his military service with a stint as communications advisor to the Dutch Army. Never away from national politics, he became media spokesman of the CDA parliamentary faction in 1997, serving under Enneüs Heerma and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. De Vries then became advisor to Jan Peter Balkenende who became political leader of the CDA in October 2001, after De Hoop Scheffer's lijsttrekker candidacy was not supported by the party. Balkenende won the 2002 elections, became Prime Minister, and brought de Vries with him to the Ministry of General Affairs.
In 2005, De Vries was appointed as CDA campaign chairman, and lead them through the 2006 municipal elections, the 2006 general election, and the 2007 provincial elections.
Resignation
He resigned on 14 May 2010 after admitting to an extra-marital affair with his personal aide a few days earlier. He announced his retirement from politics the same day.