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The Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal is the most senior politician within the Christian Democratic Appeal (Dutch: Christen-Democratisch Appèl, CDA) in the Netherlands. The post is currently held by Sybrand van Haersma Buma, who succeeded Maxime Verhagen after the leadership election of 2012.
History
The Leaders outwardly act as the 'figurehead' and the main representative of the party. Within the party, they must ensure political consensus. At election time the Leader is always the Lijsttrekker (top candidate) of the party list. Outside election time the Leader can serves as the Opposition leader. In the Christian Democratic Appeal the Leader is often the Parliamentary leader in the House of Representatives. Some Christian Democratic Appeal leaders became a Minister in a Cabinet.