The horrors of the Second World War, the chilling winds of the Cold War and the crushing weight of the Iron Curtain are little more than fading memories. Ideals that once commanded great loyalty are now taken for granted.

He was treated through surgical debridement and made a full recovery after several weeks in hospital. M. Early life
Jan Piet Balkenende was born on 7 May 1956 in Biezelinge in the Netherlands Province of Zeeland.

Balkenende again as Lijsttrekker lost three seats but the CDA remained the largest party with 41 seats. He previously served as a Member of the House of Representatives from 19 May 1998 until 22 July 2002. A rump cabinet Balkenende III was formed and stayed in office until the Dutch general election of 2006.