Hans Hillen


Johannes Stefanus Joseph "Hans" Hillen is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal party and journalist.

Biography

Early life

Hillen studied sociology at Utrecht University. He has been a journalist for the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting, teacher and civil servant before entering in politics

Politics

From 1990 till 2002 he was a member of the House of Representatives and from 2007 till 2010 a member of the Senate. From October 14, 2010 to November 5, 2012 he was minister of Defence. He is in favor of a strong defence and close ties with NATO.

Other activities

From 2003 till 2007 Hillen was president of CVZ, the Dutch council for the healthcare, and from 2005 till 2010 a member of the executive board of the Dutch employers' organization VNO-NCW. He also did some writing, he wrote columns for Elsevier and Katholiek Nieuwsblad.
Furthermore he is involved in the Edmund Burke Foundation, a Dutch conservative think tank. In 2004 he left the advisory council because a conflict of opinion with prominent co-member Bart Jan Spruyt, who wanted to found a new political party with Geert Wilders.

Personal life

Hillen is married and resides in Hilversum. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Decorations