Neelie Kroes

Neelie Kroes (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈneːli ˈkrus]; born 19 July 1941) is a retired Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

Kroes a corporate director by occupation, was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives on 3 August 1971 after the Dutch general election of 1971. After the Dutch general election of 1977 a coalition agreement with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy resulted in the formation of the Cabinet Van Agt-Wiegel with Kroes becoming Undersecretary for Transport, Public Works and Water Management taking office on 28 December 1977. After the Dutch general election of 1981 she returned as a Member of the House of Representatives on 25 August 1981. After the Dutch general election of 1982 a coalition agreement with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy resulted in the formation of the Cabinet Lubbers I with Kroes becoming Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management taking office on 4 November 1982. Kroes remained Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management in the Cabinet Lubbers II following the Dutch general election of 1986. Kroes semi-retired from active politics and became Chancellor of the Nyenrode Business University serving from from 1 June 1991 until 1 September 2000. In 2004 Kroes was selected as European Commissioner for Competition in the First Barroso Commission taking office on 22 November 2004. On 9 February 2010 she became European Commissioner for Digital Agenda and a Vice President in the Second Barroso Commission serving until 1 November 2014.