André Poortman
Summary
André Poortman (1987) was born in Achtkarspelen and lives in Zwolle. He has been a Member of Parliament for 203 days in total.
"I spent a long time looking at issues theoretically, but now I want to roll up my sleeves and get to work"
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What does this MP stand for?
Three questions for André Poortman.
1. What drives you to serve as an MP?
Looking from the outside in, it struck me that The Hague had become too focused on itself. Society should not exist for politics, but the other way round. That is what I want to help change. I spent a long time working at CDA’s scientific institute, looking at issues theoretically, but now I want to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
2. What would you change about the Netherlands?
It seems as though we view each other across dividing lines, based on culture, identity or nationality. I believe we need to overcome those divisions together. I hope that my political style and the philosophy of Christian democracy will show that connection is possible in society.
3. Who inspires you, and why?
The Catholic theologian Erik Borgman. He encourages me to put values at the heart of politics, rather than marketing or media messaging. I also think it can help, from time to time, to use religious language, to show that ultimately there is more at stake than simply the here and now.