CONFIDENTIAL
WIEGEL, HANS (VVD)
Queen's Commissioner for Friesland since 1982.
Born 1941. Studied at Municipal University of Amsterdam. Owns a small wine and cheese retail business in Amsterdam. Leader of Young Liberals 1965–66. Member, Second Chamber 1967 and floorleader after the elections in 1971. Sponsored visitor to England 1972. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs 1977-81, Leader of the Opposition and VVD floorleader 1981-82.
A man of considerable energy, ability and ambition, who played a vigorous role as leader of the opposition to the den Uyl Government 1974-77. He promoted a shift to the right in the Liberal Party which, though criticised by some, brought electoral success in May 1977.
When the protracted talks between the Labour Party and the CDA broke down in November 1977, Wiegel seized the unexpected opportunity with both hands and swiftly reached agreement on the formation of a centre-right government with himself as Deputy Prime Minister at the early age of 36. Retired temporarily from active politics in 1982 to become Queen's Commissioner for Friesland.
Category I visitor to UK in March 1985.
His first wife was killed in a car accident in November 1980. He subsequently married her sister. Two children from first marriage. Speaks good English.
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CONFIDENTIAL