Hans Vijlbrief

Biography

“You have to trust to be trusted”

It is essential that the Netherlands becomes a more equitable country, in which everyone can feel at home. People who struggle to keep up financially or never received appropriate education sometimes feel that they do not quite belong. I want to do something about that.

State secretary

My background is in finance. Although I had previously co-written D66 party manifestos, I did not take my first step into politics until 2020, when I was asked to become State Secretary for Finance in the Rutte III cabinet. As State Secretary for Mining, I devoted a lot of time to studying the consequences of natural gas extraction in Groningen. My favourite thing about politics is that it is about people.

Trust

In my four years as State Secretary, I learned what politics means to people’s lives. In Groningen, I met countless people who had completely lost faith in the government. I spent a lot of time thinking about ways to restore trust and came to the following conclusion: you have to trust to be trusted.

Gas from Groningen

Having spent so much time on gas extraction in Groningen, I know what truly matters to people. Having practical experience makes a big difference and gives you a big advantage over people who have only sat at their desk and studied theory. I learned how to effect change, which is a valuable asset for an MP.