2006 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy leadership election

2006 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy leadership election

31 May 2006 (2006-05-31) 2023 →

Candidate Mark Rutte Rita Verdonk Jelleke Veenendaal Popular vote 14,777 13,131 803 Percentage 51.5% 45.5% 3.0%

Leader before election Jozias van Aartsen Leader-elect Mark Rutte

The 2006 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy leadership election was called to elect the new Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy after incumbent Jozias van Aartsen announced his retirement from national politics. Mark Rutte the State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science closely beat Rita Verdonk the Minister for Integration, Immigration and Asylum Affairs and backbencher Member of the House of Representatives Jelleke Veenendaal.