Ronald van Raak

Antonius Adrianus Gerardus Maria (Ronald) van Raak (born October 30, 1969 in Hilvarenbeek) is a Dutch politician, non-fiction writer and former academic. As a member of the Socialist Party (Socialistische Partij) he has been an MP since November 30, 2006. He focuses on matters of home affairs, Kingdom relations, the Dutch Royal House and general affairs. From 2003 to 2006 he was a Senator.

Biography

Van Raak is of a working-class background; his father was a truck driver. He grew up in his native village and attended secondary education in Tilburg. Afterwards he studied both social history and philosophy at Erasmus University Rotterdam and got promoted in humanities at the University of Amsterdam.

On April 1, 2000 he joined the Socialist Party and started to work at SP's think tank. Three years later he became director.

In 2003 he was elected into the Dutch Senate and was a member from June 10 that year till November 28, 2006. In November 2006 he was elected into the Dutch House of Representatives. The same month he changed positions, instead of being director he became SP's think tank chairman.