Jelle Zijlstra

Prime Minister of the Netherlands

27 August 1918 Oosterbierum, Netherlands

23 December 2001(2001-12-23) (83) Wassenaar, Netherlands

22 November 1966 – 5 April 1967

Prime minister of the Netherlands His Excellency Jelle ZijlstraJelle Zijlstra in 1966Prime Minister of the NetherlandsIn office 22 November 1966 – 5 April 1967MonarchJulianaDeputyJan de Quay Barend BiesheuvelPreceded by Jo CalsSucceeded by Piet de JongPresident of De Nederlandsche BankIn office 1 May 1967 – 1 January 1982Preceded by Marius HoltropSucceeded by Wim DuisenbergMember of the Social and Economic CouncilIn office 10 May 1967 – 18 December 1981Chairman Jan de PousMember of the SenateIn office 25 June 1963 – 22 November 1966Parliamentary groupAnti-Revolutionary PartyMinister of FinanceIn office 22 November 1966 – 5 April 1967Prime Minister HimselfPreceded by Anne VondelingSucceeded by Johan WitteveenIn office 22 December 1958 – 24 July 1963Prime Minister Louis Beel (1958–1959) Jan de Quay (1959–1963)Preceded by Henk HofstraSucceeded by Johan WitteveenMember of the House of RepresentativesIn office 20 March 1959 – 26 May 1959In office 3 July 1956 – 13 October 1956Parliamentary groupAnti-Revolutionary PartyParliamentary leader in the House of RepresentativesIn office 3 July 1956 – 3 October 1956Preceded by Jan SchoutenSucceeded by Sieuwert Bruins SlotParliamentary groupAnti-Revolutionary PartyLeader of the Anti-Revolutionary PartyIn office 29 December 1958 – 26 May 1959DeputySieuwert Bruins SlotPreceded by Sieuwert Bruins SlotSucceeded by Sieuwert Bruins SlotIn office 23 April 1956 – 3 October 1956DeputySieuwert Bruins SlotPreceded by Jan SchoutenSucceeded by Sieuwert Bruins SlotMinister of Economic AffairsIn office 2 September 1952 – 19 May 1959Prime Minister Willem Drees (1952–1958) Louis Beel (1958–1959)Preceded by Jan van den BrinkSucceeded by Jan de Pous Personal detailsBornJelle Zijlstra (1918-08-27 ) 27 August 1918 Oosterbierum, NetherlandsDied23 December 2001(2001-12-23) (aged 83) Wassenaar, NetherlandsCause of deathDementiaNationalityDutchPolitical partyChristian Democratic Appeal (from 1980)Other political affiliationsAnti-Revolutionary Party (until 1980)RelativesRinse Zijlstra (brother)Alma materRotterdam School of Economics (BEc, M.Econ, PhD)OccupationPolitician · civil servant · Economist · Businessperson · Banker · Corporate director · Nonprofit director · Author · professorMilitary serviceAllegiance  NetherlandsBranch/serviceRoyal Netherlands ArmyYears of service1939–1940 (Conscription) 1940 (Active duty)Rank LieutenantBattles/warsWorld War II Battle of the Netherlands Battle of France Jelle Zijlstra (Dutch pronunciation: ; 27 August 1918 – 23 December 2001) was a Dutch politician of the defunct Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP) now the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and economist who served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 22 November 1966 until 5 April 1967. Zijlstra studied Economics at the Rotterdam School of Economics obtaining a Master of Economics degree and worked as a researcher and lecturer at his alma mater before finishing his thesis and graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy in Public economics and worked as a professor of Public economics at the Free University Amsterdam from October 1948 until September 1952. After the election of 1952 Zijlstra was appointed as Minister of Economic Affairs in the Cabinet Drees II taking office on 2 September 1952. After Party Leader Jan Schouten announced his retirement Zijlstra was selected his successor as Leader on 23 April 1956. For the election of 1956 Zijlstra served as Lijsttrekker (top candidate) and was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives and Parliamentary leader taking office on 3 July 1956. Following a cabinet formation Zijlstra continued as Minister of Economic Affairs in the Cabinet Drees III and stepped down as Leader and Parliamentary leader on 3 October 1956. The Cabinet Drees III fell on 11 December 1958 and was replaced by the caretaker Cabinet Beel II with Zijlstra retaining his position and also becoming Minister of Finance taking office on 22 December 1958. For the election of 1959 Zijlstra again served as Lijsttrekker. Following a cabinet formation Zijlstra continued as Minister of Finance in the Cabinet De Quay. In September 1962 Zijlstra announced that he wouldn't not stand for the election of 1963 and declined to serve in new cabinet. Zijlstra returned as a distinguished professor of Public economics at the Free University Amsterdam and was elected as a Member of the Senate after the Senate election of 1963 taking office on 25 June 1963 serving as a frontbencher and spokesperson for Finance. Zijlstra also served as director of the Abraham Kuyper Foundation from August 1963 until November 1966. Zijlstra continued to be active in politics and in September 1966 was nominated as the next President of the Central Bank, however after a political crisis was persuaded to lead an interim cabinet until the next election. Zijlstra formed the caretaker Cabinet Zijlstra and became Prime Minister of the Netherlands and dual served as Minister of Finances taking office on 22 November 1966. Before the election of 1967 Zijlstra indicated that he wouldn't serve another term as Prime Minister and opted to accepted the nomination as head of the Central Bank. Zijlstra left office following the installation of the Cabinet De Jong on 5 April 1967 and was confirmed as chief of the Central Bank serving from 1 May 1967 until 1 January 1982. Zijlstra retired from active politics at 63 and became active in the private and public sectors as a corporate and non-profit director and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government, and continued to be active in advocating for a balanced governmental budget. Zijlstra was known for his abilities as skillful manager and effective Debater. Zijlstra was granted the honorary title of Minister of State on 30 April 1983 and continued to comment on political affairs as a statesman until his death from dementia-related illness at the age of 83. He holds the distinction as the shortest-serving Prime Minister after World War II and his premiership is therefore is usually omitted both by scholars and the public in rankings but his legacy as a Minister in the 1950s and 60s and later as President of the Central Bank continue to this-day.