Ivo Opstelten

Minister of Security & Justice, The Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice

http://english.justitie.nl/

Biography

Ivo Willem Opstelten was born in Rotterdam on the 31st of January 1944. He studied at the University of Leiden where he received his degree in Law in 1969.

After graduating, Ivo Opstelten worked for the municipality of Vlaardingen from 1970 to 1972. He was then Mayor of, successively, Dalen (1972-1977), Doorn (1977-1980) and Delfzijl (1980-1987).
In 1987, Mr Opstelten was appointed Director-General for Public Order and Safety at the Ministry of the Interior. He was Mayor of Utrecht from 1992 to 1997 and Mayor of Rotterdam from 1999 to 2008. He was acting Mayor of Tilburg from 2009 to 2010.
In 2010, from 4 August to 4 September and then again from 13 September to 7 October, Ivo Opstelten was the mediator in the negotiations that resulted in the formation of the new Rutte government.

On 14 October 2010 Ivo Opstelten was appointed Minister of Security and Justice in the Rutte government.

Opstelten lives in Rotterdam, he is married and has four children.