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Willem (Wim) Kok (born September 29, 1938) was a Dutch politician and the Prime Minister of The Netherlands from 1994 - 2002, heading the cabinets Kok I and Kok II.

Born in Bergambacht, The Netherlands, Wim Kok started his career in 1961 at the socialist trade union of the Netherlands. He was chairman from 1973 until 19861986 is a common year starting on Wednesday. Events January January 1 Spain and Portugal enter the European Community January 1 Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands and is separated from the Netherlands Antilles. January 9 After losing a pa.

In 19861986 is a common year starting on Wednesday. Events January January 1 Spain and Portugal enter the European Community January 1 Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands and is separated from the Netherlands Antilles. January 9 After losing a pa he succeeded Joop den UylJohannes Marten "Joop" den Uyl ( August 9, 1919 December 24, 1987) was a Dutch politician, prime minister of the Netherlands from 1973 until 1977, as a member of the socialist PvdA party. Born in Hilversum, Den Uyl was a member of the Tweede Kamer since 1 as leader of the social democratic party PvdA ( Partij van de Arbeid, Labour Party). From 1989 until 1994 he was minister of financial affairs in a cabinet with the christian democratic party CDA ( Christen Democratisch Appèl) and the progressive liberal party D'66 (Democrats '66).

In 1994 he became Prime Minister in a cabinet with the liberal party VVD ( Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy) and D'66. This "Purple" coalition was the first in decades to form a government without the CDA. After the elections in 1998 he led a second government with the same partners.

During most of Kok's time as Prime Minister, the Netherlands was booming economically and Kok was credited internationally for the dutch " Polder Model". This same "polder model" went out of fashion early 2002, which saw the rise of Pim Fortuyn, the right-wing populist political newcomer who was shot and died shortly before the May 2002 elections. Confused masses blamed Kok and his Purple coalition for being responsible for ' demonising' Pim Fortuyn, which supposedly led to his assasination.

After surviving this commotion, his cabinet fell just weeks before the May 2002 elections when Kok and all his ministers stepped down because of the discussion about the possible Dutch responsiblity in the Srebrenica massacre. He left politics after the election, as he had already announced the year before.

He was succeeded as leader of the Partij van de Arbeid by Ad Melkert, who then lost the 2002 election.

At present, Wim Kok holds the following positions:

• Member of the Supervisory Board of ING Groep N.V.
• Member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Dutch/Shell Group
• Member of the Supervisory Board of TPG N.V.
• Member of the Supervisory Board of KLM N.V

See also: Politics of the Netherlands