Norbert Schmelzer

Wilhelm Klaus Norbert "Norbert" Schmelzer (22 March 1921 – 14 November 2008) was a Dutch politician and diplomat of the defunct Catholic People's Party (KVP) now merged into the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and economist.Schmelzer worked as a civil servant for the Ministry of Economic Affairs from 1948 until 1956. After the election of 1956 Schmelzer was appointed as the first State Secretary for the Interior in the Cabinet Drees III, taking office on 29 October 1956. The Cabinet Drees III fell on 11 December 1958 and the caretaker Cabinet Beel II was formed with Schmelzer continuing as State Secretary for the Interior, taking office on 22 December 1958. Schmelzer was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives after the election of 1959, he served in the House of Representatives from 20 March 1959 until 19 May 1959. The following cabinet formation resulted in the formation of the Cabinet De Quay with Schmelzer appointed as the first State Secretary for General Affairs, taking office on 19 May 1959. After the election of 1963 Schmelzer returned as a Member of the House of Representatives on 2 July 1963. After the Leader of the Catholic People's Party and Parliamentary leader of the Catholic People's Party in the House of Representatives Wim de Kort announced he was stepping down five months after the installation of the Cabinet Marijnen Schmelzer was nominated as his successor. After De Kort stood down on 7 December 1963, Schmelzer was chosen to succeed him en became the Leader of the Catholic People's Party and Parliamentary leader of the Catholic People's Party in the House of Representatives. The Cabinet Marijnen fell on 27 February 1965 and Schmelzer was Formateur. After a failed cabinet formation attempt by Schmelzer he suggested Jo Cals as a candidate for Prime Minister. The following cabinet formation resulted in the formation of the Cabinet Cals on 14 April 1965. Schmelzer opted to remain in the House of Representatives instead of a minist