Eelco Heinen

Heinen, VVD, including logo on the bottom left

Summary

Eelco Heinen is born in Laren on 27 April 1981 and lives in 's-Gravenhage. He is in total 1113 days active in the House of Representatives.

Social media links

Biography

"New times call for new choices"

I had been working as political secretary of the VVD group in the House of Representatives for several years when they asked me to stand as candidate. While I had considered trying my luck elsewhere, you cannot turn down Real Madrid, can you?

My interest in politics was sparked while I was studying economics and political science at the University of Amsterdam. I joined the VVD in 2006, which had had a few meagre years at the time and quickly came to see it for the open party it is, in which new thoughts bubble to the surface without much resistance. The Netherlands without the VVD would have been simply unthinkable for me. For the 2021 elections, I worked on the campaign team and contributed to the election manifesto and the financial run-through.

New course

The VVD will hold on to its traditional themes such as safety, a strong military, and a thriving economy. We believe in the free market, while admitting that it does not work for everyone. We have a duty to soften the frayed edges of capitalism for those who need it. Can all that be done with a small government? The VVD is in favour of a strong government that can effectively support the labour market, education and the housing market.

Leisure

I do not have much time for hobbies. For now, my spare time is spent on projects in our new house and caring for our two young children. Our youngest was a total surprise and was born in the car on the way to the hospital, in the middle of campaign season!

Education

  • Postgraduate Professional Training in Financial-Economic Policy, Erasmus University Rotterdam in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, The Hague 2007-2008
  • Master of science International relations, Amsterdam University, 2006-2007
  • Master of science Macroeconomics, University van Amsterdam, 2005-2007
  • Bachelor of science Economy, University of Amsterdam, 2002-2005
  • Informatics, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, 1998-2002

Career

  • Head of policy / Political Secretary House of Representatives, VVD, The Hague, 2015-2020
  • Senior policy officer Finance House of Representatives, VVD, The Hague, 2011-2014
  • Policy officer, Ministry of Finance, The Hague, 2007-2011

Committees