Bolkestein, Frits (1933 - )

Frits Bolkestein (Photo: European Commission)

Bolkestein, Frits (1933 - )

Dutch Commissioner for the Internal Market and the Customs Union from 1999 to 2004. His name was closely linked to the so called "Bolkestein-directive" on free movement of services.

In 2007 he surprised the Dutch voters by calling for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty after another referendum was refused by the government and a majority in the Dutch Parliament. The Dutch had voted against the proposed EU Constitution on 2 June 2005.  

 

Links

Fritz Bolkestein official site  http://www.fritsbolkestein.com/ 
Website at the European Commission
http://ec.europa.eu/archives/c......9_2004/bolkestein/index_en.htm