Liesbeth Spies

Who is Liesbeth Spies?

Jantje Wilhelmina Elisabeth "Liesbeth" Spies is a former Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal. She served as Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Cabinet Rutte I from December 16, 2011 to November 5, 2012. She was named to this post on December 16, 2011, following the appointment of her predecessor, Piet Hein Donner, to be the new Vice President of the Council of State. She was a Member of the House of Representatives from May 23, 2002 to June 17, 2010 and served as acting Party Chair of the Christian Democratic Appeal from November 1, 2010 until April 2, 2011.

Following her departure from the House of Representatives she became the top candidate for the CDA in the 2011 elections for the States-Provincial of South Holland. In the election the CDA lost over half its seats and went from largest party in the province to the fourth-largest when compared with the previous election in 2007. Despite this the CDA joined the coalition for the provincial government and Spies was appointed as a member of the States Deputed, with a portfolio including spatial planning and economic affairs. She vacated this position following her ministerial appointment.