Atzo Nicolaï

Who is Atzo Nicolaï?

Atzo Nicolaï is a retired Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. He served as a member of the House of Representatives from May 19, 1998 until July 22, 2002 when he became State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Cabinets Balkenende I and II. He again had a short stint as an MP following the Dutch general election of 2003 serving from January 30, 2003 until May 27, 2003. He became Minister for Government Reform and Kingdom Relations in the Cabinet Balkenende III serving from July 7, 2006 until February 22, 2007 following the resignation of Alexander Pechtold. After the Dutch general election of 2006 Nicolaï returned to the House of Representatives and took office on November 30, 2006. Following the Dutch general election of 2010 Nicolaï became a likely candidate as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the cabinet formation of 2010 but his appointment was blocked by the coalition partner Party for Freedom. Nicolaï resigned as an MP on May 31, 2011. Next day he became a member of the board of directors of the chemical multinational DSM.