VVD member Hans Wiegel (83) has passed away: 'He hung on to life and always saw joy'

Former VVD leader and deputy prime minister Hans Wiegel has died at the age of 83, his family confirmed after reports in De Telegraaf . "We are proud of who he was and what he meant to many. For us, he is the sweetest father we could have wished for," they said.

His daughter Marieke says that things had been going downhill for Wiegel for a while and that he eventually died at home of old age. She is proud of how Wiegel filled his life as a " self-made man " and always had an eye for his family. "He hung on to life and always saw the joy in something," she characterizes her father.

Last week another political luminary, Jan Terlouw (D66), also passed away.

The Amsterdam native was active in his youth at the JOVD and entered the Lower House in 1966, working his way up to party leader in four years. Under his leadership, the VVD grew into a broad popular party. In the Lower House elections of 1972, the VVD grew from 16 to 22 seats.

In the years that followed, Wiegel developed into a fierce critic of PvdA Prime Minister Joop den Uyl, who, according to the liberal, was pursuing an irresponsible economic policy. His remark in a debate with Den Uyl is legendary. "Sinterklaas exists, there he is, behind the table," he said, pointing to Den Uyl.

In 1977, the VVD under Wiegel even won 28 seats. Although the PvdA was the big winner, that party remained outside a new cabinet. The liberals went on to govern with the CDA, and Wiegel became deputy prime minister and minister of the interior in the first cabinet of Dries van Agt.

130,000 more migrants in one year, but: 'This will have an effect'

Massive search for missing Jeffrey and Emma, ​​police fear for their lives