Eric Wiebes

Eric Wiebes
Born	Eric Derk Wiebes (1963-03-12) March 12, 1963 Delft, Netherlands
Occupation(s)	Politician, management consultant, civil servant
Years active	1987–2021
Known for	Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (2017–2021)

Eric Derk Wiebes (born 12 March 1963) is a Dutch political figure who held the position of Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy within the Third Rutte cabinet from 26 October 2017 until his resignation on 15 January 2021. He is affiliated with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

With a background in management consulting, Wiebes’ career includes roles at Royal Dutch Shell (1987–1989), McKinsey & Company (1990–1992), and OC&C Strategy Consultants (1993–2004). He transitioned to public service at the Ministry of Economic Affairs from 2004 through 2010. Subsequently, he was appointed alderman of Amsterdam, serving from 19 May 2010 until 4 February 2014. After Frans Weekers stepped down as State Secretary for Finance, Wiebes was named his replacement in the Second Rutte cabinet. Following the 2017 elections, he assumed the ministerial role for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy until his departure in January 2021.

Education and private career

Born in Delft on 12 March 1963, Wiebes was raised in Muiderberg. His father, a nuclear physicist, passed away when he was nine years old. He completed secondary school in Bussum in 1981 before pursuing mechanical engineering at Delft University of Technology, where he graduated in 1986 with an engineering degree emphasizing governmental policy functions. His professional path began in the private sector with tenures at Royal Dutch Shell (1987–1990), followed by McKinsey & Company (1990–1993), and then OC&C Strategy Consultants (1993–2004). In addition, he obtained an MBA from INSEAD in 1991. Between 2004 and 2010, Wiebes occupied various positions at the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Netherlands), including director of Market Mechanism and deputy secretary-general.

Municipality of Amsterdam

Considering his political trajectory, Wiebes sought guidance from Willibrord van Beek, who advised him to pursue an alderman role. After turning down less demanding offers from smaller municipalities, he was nominated as alderman for Amsterdam in 2010 by local VVD leader Eric van der Burg, with endorsement from Prime Minister Mark Rutte. During his tenure from 19 May 2010 to 4 February 2014, Wiebes was responsible for significant portfolios such as municipal ICT systems, air quality management, overseeing the Noord/Zuidlijn metro project, and regulating the local taxi industry.

National government

Following the resignation of Frans Weekers as State Secretary for Finance on 30 January 2014, Wiebes was appointed his successor and charged with addressing challenges within the Tax and Customs Administration. He officially assumed office on 4 February. In May 2015, amid scrutiny by the European Parliament over a tax arrangement involving Starbucks, Wiebes defended the Netherlands against accusations of being a tax haven. Despite initiatives to improve operations, difficulties persisted at the Tax and Customs Administration, including unanticipated departures of seasoned personnel due to a severance scheme and ongoing complications with ICT modernization efforts. Notably, Wiebes remained the sole politician retaining his post throughout these challenges.

On 26 October 2017, he was named Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy in the Third Rutte cabinet. His period in office saw the cessation of natural gas extraction within the country; however, criticism emerged concerning his management of entrenched issues linked to decades-long gas production. Journalist Peter de Waard from de Volkskrant characterized Wiebes as a pragmatic realist who occasionally tends to make assertive remarks prematurely.

Personal life

Wiebes is a father of two and describes himself as an atheist.

External links

Official

• Ir. E.D. (Eric) Wiebes MBA Parlement & Politiek