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Femke HalsemaDutch politician
Date of Birth: 25.04.1966
Country:  Netherlands |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Femke Halsema was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, to a social democratic family. Her mother, Elsje Halsema-Fles, was a Jewish member of the local Labour Party council. Halsema attended Waldorf teacher training but left in 1988 to work in a café for a year. She later graduated from Utrecht University in 1993, earning a degree in social sciences with a specialization in criminology.
Entry into Politics
Halsema began her political career as an employee of the Labour Party's think tank, the Wiardi Beckman Stichting. She played a role in developing the party's program for the 1998 elections but left the party in 1997 due to disagreements over its handling of protests against a European Union summit. She then joined the more radical GreenLeft party, where she was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998.
Leader of GreenLeft
In 2002, Halsema became deputy leader of the GreenLeft parliamentary group and was appointed party leader by Paul Rosenmöller following his resignation. She served as leader from 2002 to 2010, overseeing the party's electoral lists and speaking on issues such as justice, home affairs, and asylum seekers.
Views and Policy
Halsema distinguishes between negative and positive freedom. Negative freedom refers to the liberation of individuals from state interference, while positive freedom involves emancipation from poverty and inequality. She advocates for a strong social state, similar to the model in Denmark, and has supported partial implementation of a basic income.
Mayor of Amsterdam
In June 2018, Halsema was nominated as Mayor of Amsterdam and took office on July 12, 2018, for a six-year term.
