Stephan van Baarle

He was born in 1991 in Rotterdam to a Dutch mother and a Turkish father.{{Cite news |url = https://www.groene.nl/artikel/we-zijn-geen-stemvee |title = We zijn geen stemvee |trans-title = We are not voting fodder |language = nl |website = De Groene Amsterdammer |access-date = 4 April 2021 |date = 7 December 2016 |last = Vossen |first = Koen }} Van Baarle was raised by his mother as an only child in the Rotterdam neighborhood Vreewijk, and he attended the high school Vreewijk Lyceum. He studied sociology at Erasmus University Rotterdam, graduating cum laude, and became a junior teacher at his university. He was also active for the Labour Party in 2014.{{Cite news |url = https://www.ad.nl/rotterdam/het-gaat-snel-met-de-oogappel-van-kuzu~a7af6fbc/ |title = Het gaat snel met de oogappel van Kuzu |trans-title = Things are going fast for Kuzu's precious |website = AD |access-date = 5 April 2021 |language = nl |date = 31 March 2018 |last1 = Beek |first1 = Monica |last2 = Liukku |first2 = Antti }}{{Cite news |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/10/12/in-verkiezingstijd-trek-je-met-harde-woorden-meer-aandacht-weet-denk-lijsttrekker-van-baarle-a4177074 |url-access = subscription |access-date = 12 November 2023 |website = nrc.nl |date = 12 October 2023 |title = In verkiezingstijd trek je met harde woorden meer aandacht, weet Denk-lijsttrekker Van Baarle |trans-title = Tough words draw more attention during election season, knows Denk lead candidate Van Baarle }}{{Cite episode |url = https://npo.nl/start/serie/tijd-voor-max/seizoen-46/tijd-voor-max_281/afspelen |language = nl |access-date = 12 November 2023 |series = Tijd voor MAX |title = Het schaatsseizoen gaat beginnen |trans-title = The ice skating season has begun |date = 26 October 2023 |network = NPO 1 }}

In 2015, when Denk was established, Van Baarle started working as a policy officer for its House caucus and as director of its think tank Statera. He was one of the first members of Denk, which was founded by two MPs who had left the Labour Party the year before. Van Baarle ran for member of parliament in the 2017 general election, being placed fifth on Denk's party list. He also chaired the election program committee.{{Cite news |title = Partij Denk heeft geen brede aanhang |trans-title = Party Denk does not have a wide following |language = nl |newspaper = Het Parool |page = 4 |date = 31 December 2016 |last = Kok |first = Laurens }} He was not elected, as his party received three seats and his 408 preference votes were not enough to meet the threshold.{{Cite web |url = https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2017/3/proces-verbaal-zitting-kiesraad-uitslag-tweede-kamerverkiezing-2017/getekend-proces-verbaal-zitting-bekendmaking-uitslag-tweede-kamer-22-03-2017 |format = PDF |access-date = 4 April 2021 |language = Dutch |pages = 150 and 151 |website = Kiesraad |title = Uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 2017 (getekend exemplaar) |trans-title = Results House of Representatives election 2017 (signed copy) |date = 21 March 2017 }} Van Baarle was Denk's lead candidate in Rotterdam in the 2018 municipal elections.{{Cite news |url = https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/denk-kiest-voor-van-baarle-als-lijsttrekker-in-rotterdam~b006c652/ |title = Denk kiest voor Van Baarle als lijsttrekker in Rotterdam |trans-title = Denk chooses Van Baarle as its lead candidate in Rotterdam |language = nl |website = Trouw |access-date = 5 April 2021 |last = Hoogstad |first = Mark |date = 28 January 2018 }} His party won four seats in the municipal council, while {{lang|nl|lijstduwer}} Tunahan Kuzu received almost twice as many votes as Van Baarle.{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/artikel/2223960-pvv-verliest-zetel-in-rotterdam-denk-krijgt-er-vier.html |title = PVV verliest zetel in Rotterdam, Denk krijgt er vier |trans-title = PVV loses seat in Rotterdam, Denk receives four |language = nl |website = NOS |access-date = 5 April 2021 |date = 23 March 2018 }}{{Cite news |url = https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/4124196/denk-fractievoorzitter-tunahun-kuzu-wordt-raadslid-rotterdam |title = DENK-fractievoorzitter Tunahun Kuzu wordt raadslid in Rotterdam |trans-title = Denk parliamentary leader Tunahan Kuzu will become a councilor in Rotterdam |language = nl |website = RTL Nieuws |date = 23 March 2018 |access-date = 5 April 2021 }} He also remained on as a policy officer.{{Cite news |url = https://www.pzc.nl/rotterdam/fractievoorzitter-van-baarle-de-oogappel-van-kuzu-is-kortaf-over-crisis-bij-denk~aab64f194/ |title = Fractievoorzitter Van Baarle - 'de oogappel van Kuzu' - is kortaf over crisis bij Denk |trans-title = Caucus leader Van Baarle – 'Kuzu's precious' – is curtly about Denk's crisis |language = nl |access-date = 6 April 2021 |date = 31 March 2020 |last = Liukku |first = Antti |website = PZC }} In the council, where he served as caucus leader, Van Baarle successfully proposed a ban on disturbances by the street use of laughing gas together with Livable Rotterdam.{{Cite news |url = https://www.ad.nl/rotterdam/verbod-op-lachgas-op-straat-in-rotterdam~a030834a/ |title = Verbod op lachgas op straat in Rotterdam |trans-title = Ban on street use of laughing gas in Rotterdam |language = nl |website = AD |access-date = 6 April 2021 |date = 13 December 2019 |last = De Koning |first = Adrianne }} He was nominated for Best Politician of Rotterdam by a cooperation of a number of Rotterdam press organizations in both 2018 and 2019.{{Cite news |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/11/14/prijs-van-persjury-genomineerden-beste-politicus-bekend-a3980215 |website = nrc.nl |language = nl |access-date = 6 April 2021 |last = König |first = Eppo |title = Genomineerden 'Beste Politicus van Rotterdam' zijn bekend |trans-title = Nominees for Best Politician of Rotterdam are known |date = 14 November 2019 |url-access = subscription }} Van Baarle supported Denk's parliamentary leader Farid Azarkan when he was being expelled from the party by its board in May 2020, and he called on the board to resign.{{Cite news |url = https://www.ad.nl/rotterdam/denk-rotterdam-spreekt-zich-uit-over-partijconflict-royeren-van-azarkan-is-onacceptabel~ad689827/ |website = AD |language = nl |access-date = 6 April 2021 |last = Liukku |first = Antti |title = Denk Rotterdam spreekt zich uit over partijconflict: royeren van Azarkan is 'onacceptabel' |trans-title = Denk Rotterdam gives its opinion about conflict within the party: Azarkan's expulsion is 'unacceptable' |date = 6 May 2020 }}

He was DENK's third candidate in the 2021 general election and also served as the party's campaign manager.{{Cite news |url = https://www.trouw.nl/politiek/veel-lokale-politici-denk-op-lijst-voor-tweede-kamer~ba763988/ |website = Trouw |language = nl |access-date = 6 April 2021 |date = 19 December 2020 |title = Veel lokale politici DENK op lijst voor Tweede Kamer |trans-title = Many local Denk politicians on general election list }} He was installed as member of the House of Representatives on 31 March after he was elected with 2,449 preference votes.{{Cite web |url = https://www.kiesraad.nl/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2021/03/26/uitslag-tweede-kamerverkiezing-17-maart-2021 |format = PDF |title = Uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 17 maart 2021 |trans-title = Results general election 17 March 2021 |page = 273 |access-date = 26 March 2021 |date = 26 March 2021 |website = Kiesraad |language = nl }} Van Baarle did not leave the municipal council, but he did step down as caucus leader the following month.{{Cite news |url = https://www.ad.nl/rotterdam/dit-is-de-nieuwe-rotterdamse-voorman-van-denk-wij-vertolken-het-geluid-van-de-ongehoorden~aad7d5d5/ |website = AD |last = Groenendijk |first = Peter |language = nl |access-date = 7 June 2021 |title = Dit is de nieuwe Rotterdamse voorman van Denk: 'Wij vertolken het geluid van de ongehoorden' |trans-title = This is Denk's new leader in Rotterdam: 'We express the voice of the unheard' |date = 15 April 2021 }} He was one of the party's {{lang|nl|lijstduwers}} in Rotterdam in the March 2022 municipal elections, leading to the end of this council membership after 29 March.{{Cite web |url = https://uitslagen.stembureausinrotterdam.nl/uploads/docs/gemeenteraadsverkiezing_2022_p222_procesverbaal_centraal_stembureau_verkiezingsuitslag_gemeenteraad.pdf |website = Gemeente Rotterdam |title = Proces-verbaal van de verkiezingsuitslag van de gemeenteraad |date = 18 March 2022 |trans-title = Report of the election results of the municipal council |page = 7 |access-date = 16 May 2022 |language = nl }}{{Cite press release |url = https://www.rotterdam.nl/nieuws/nieuwe-gemeenteraad-1/ |date = 30 March 2022 |website = Gemeente Rotterdam |language = nl |title = Nieuwe gemeenteraad geïnstalleerd |trans-title = New municipal council installed |access-date = 16 May 2022 |archive-date = 31 March 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220331121317/https://www.rotterdam.nl/nieuws/nieuwe-gemeenteraad-1/ |url-status = dead }} In the House, Van Baarle worked on combatting discrimination in the selection of interns. A motion of his was passed to utilize mystery inspectors to test companies' adherence to the law.{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/artikel/2453481-kamer-wil-mysteryguest-inzetten-tegen-stagediscriminatie |website = NOS |date = 22 November 2022 |language = nl |access-date = 3 December 2022 |title = Kamer wil mysteryguest inzetten tegen stagediscriminatie |trans-title = House wants to use mystery inspectors against internship discrimination }} Van Baarle was opposed to a new sex education curriculum for primary schools, saying that children are too young to be exposed to the curriculum. He has also complained that, in his view, expressions of sex and sexual diversity are imposed too much on others including children.{{Cite news |url = https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/tweede-kamerlid-stephan-van-baarle-wil-lijsttrekker-van-denk-worden-we-moeten-een-brede-volkspartij-worden/ |website = EenVandaag |language = nl |access-date = 12 November 2023 |date = 2 August 2023 |last1 = De Jong |first1 = Cas |last2 = Theulings |first2 = Remko |title = Tweede Kamerlid Stephan van Baarle wil lijsttrekker van DENK worden: 'We moeten een brede volkspartij worden' |trans-title = Member of Parliament Stephan van Baarle wants to be DENK's lead candidate: 'We should become a big tent party' }}{{Cite news |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/06/05/de-antigenderbeweging-is-steeds-luider-in-nederland-a4166360# |website = nrc.nl |access-date = 12 November 2023 |language = nl |date = 5 June 2023 |last1 = Van den Berg |first1 = Mandula |last2 = Sedee |first2 = Menno |title = De 'antigenderbeweging' klinkt steeds luider in Nederland. 'Hun waarden worden bedreigd. Dus worden ze uitgesprokener.' |trans-title = The 'anti-gender movement' is getting louder in the Netherlands. 'Their values are being threatened. So they are getting more outspoken' }}

In July 2023 – shortly after the collapse of the fourth Rutte cabinet had triggered a November 2023 general election – Farid Azarkan announced that he would leave politics. Van Baarle succeeded him as parliamentary leader on 3 August, and he announced his intention to become Denk's lead candidate in a video featuring Azarkan. Van Baarle said that it was important for a new generation to take responsibility and that he would double down on the party's commitment to fight racism, exclusion, and xenophobia.{{Cite news |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/08/02/stephan-van-baarle-denk-wordt-fractievoorzitter-en-wil-lijsttrekker-worden-a4171089 |website = nrc.nl |access-date = 28 August 2023 |url-access = subscription |language = nl |date = 2 August 2023 |title = Stephan van Baarle (Denk) wordt fractievoorzitter en wil lijsttrekker worden |trans-title = Stephan van Baarle (Denk) becomes parliamentary leader and wants to be lead candidate |last = Wieringa |first = Rein }}{{Cite news |url = https://www.leidschdagblad.nl/cnt/dmf20230802_58146355 |website = Leidsch Dagblad |access-date = 28 August 2023 |language = nl |date = 2 August 2023 |title = Kamerlid Stephan van Baarle wil lijsttrekker worden van DENK |trans-title = House member Stephan van Baarle wants to be Denk's lead candidate |agency = ANP }}{{Cite web |url = https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/plenaire_verslagen/detail/2022-2023/105 |website = House of Representatives |language = nl |access-date = 20 September 2023 |title = Tweede Kamer, 105e vergadering Dinsdag 5 september 2023 |trans-title = House of Representatives, 105th meeting Tuesday 5 September 2023 }} Denk's board announced it had officially chosen Van Baarle as its lead candidate on 10 September.{{Cite news |url = https://fd.nl/politiek/2000595/1488675/stephan-van-baarle-nieuwe-lijsttrekker-van-denk-bij-tweede-kamerverkiezingen |website = Het Financieele Dagblad |language = nl |access-date = 20 September 2023 |url-access = subscription |date = 10 September 2023 |title = Stephan van Baarle nieuwe lijsttrekker van Denk |trans-title = Stephan van Baarle new lead candidate of Denk}}

Following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Van Baarle denounced shows of support to Israel from the Netherlands, referring to the country as an apartheid state. His party did not attend a commemoration for the attack's victims organized in the House of Representatives. Van Baarle also said the Dutch cabinet should highlight that cutting off the supply of water, electricity, and food to the Gaza Strip constituted a war crime.{{Cite news |title = Israël verdeelt de Tweede Kamer en brengt GroenLinks-PvdA in een lastige spagaat |date = 10 October 2023 |website = de Volkskrant |url-access = subscription |language = nl |access-date = 11 November 2023 |url = https://www.volkskrant.nl/politiek/israel-verdeelt-de-tweede-kamer-en-brengt-groenlinks-pvda-in-een-lastige-spagaat~b3bf558e/ |last = Righton |first = Natalie }}{{Cite news |url = https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/dutch-migrant-party-boycotts-israel-commemoration-in-parliament/ |website = Euractiv |access-date = 11 November 2023 |last = Stöckl |first = Benedikt |title = Dutch migrant party boycotts Israel commemoration in parliament |date = 12 October 2023 }} Online, his party spread maps of Israel including the occupied Palestinian territory fully covered by the flag of Palestine. Van Baarle clarified that he supported a one-state solution with Palestinian rule and equality between Muslims and Jews.{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/collectie/13959/artikel/2494665-kamerleden-wegen-woorden-over-conflict-hamas-israel-op-goudschaaltje |website = NOS |access-date = 11 November 2023 |date = 19 October 2023 |language = nl |title = Kamerleden wegen woorden over conflict Hamas-Israël op goudschaaltje |trans-title = Members of Parliament carefully weighing their words about Hamas–Israel conflict }} During a 24 October debate in the House, Van Baarle used the Palestinian liberation slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free". Other members of parliament condemned his usage of the slogan, which they called antisemitic as it leaves no room for the State of Israel. When Sylvana Simons (BIJ1) repeated the words, Speaker Vera Bergkamp deprived her of the floor. A slim House majority supported a motion calling the slogan incitement to violence despite an earlier legal ruling deeming it not illegal.{{Cite news |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/10/25/tweede-kamer-veroordeelt-leus-from-the-river-to-the-sea-a4178559 |website = nrc.nl |url-access = subscription |access-date = 12 November 2023 |language = nl |date = 25 October 2023 |title = Tweede Kamer veroordeelt leus 'from the river to the sea' |trans-title = House of Representatives condemns slogan 'From the river to the sea' }} In March 2024, Van Baarle and leader of the far-right Forum for Democracy party Thierry Baudet were the only two parliamentary party leaders in the House of Representatives to abstain on supporting a statement against antisemitism.{{cite web |url=https://nltimes.nl/2024/03/27/two-political-leaders-refuse-sign-statement-anti-semitism-singer-jeered |title=Two political leaders refuse to sign statement against anti-Semitism after singer jeered |access-date=2025-01-25}}

• Committee for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
• Committee for Education, Culture and Science
• Committee for Infrastructure and Water Management
• Committee for the Interior
• Committee for Social Affairs and Employment
• Procedure Committee{{Cite web |url = https://www.houseofrepresentatives.nl/members_of_parliament/members_of_parliament/baarle-srt-van-denk |website = Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal |access-date = 19 November 2023 |title = Stephan van Baarle }}

• Committee for the Interior
• Committee for Kingdom Relations
• Public Expenditure committee
• Committee for European Affairs
• Committee for Foreign Trade and Development
• Committee for Foreign Affairs
• Committee for Defence
• Committee for Asylum and Migration{{Cite web |url = https://www.houseofrepresentatives.nl/members_of_parliament/members_of_parliament/baarle-srt-van-denk |website = House of Representatives |access-date = 16 December 2024 |title = Stephan van Baarle }}

Van Baarle is a resident of Rotterdam and is an agnostic.{{Cite interview |url = https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2018/02/17/integratie-is-een-kunstmatige-term-a1592238 |title = Integratie is een kunstmatige term |trans-title = Integration is an artificial term |language = nl |website = nrc.nl |url-access = subscription |access-date = 5 April 2021 |last = Van Baarle |first = Stephan |interviewer = Elsje Jorritsma and Eppo König |date = 17 February 2018 }} He is a supporter of football club Feyenoord and a fan of the German band Rammstein, and he plays the guitar.{{Cite interview |last = Van Baarle |first = Stephan |url = https://www.ad.nl/rotterdam/rotterdammers-willen-niet-tegen-elkaar-uitgespeeld-worden~a3611092/ |website = AD |language = nl |access-date = 5 April 2021 |date = 29 January 2018 |interviewer = Monica Beek |title = Rotterdammers willen niet tegen elkaar uitgespeeld worden |trans-title = People from Rotterdam do not want to be pit against each other }}

{{Incomplete list|date=December 2023}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2021–2023}}

{{Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2023–present}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baarle, Stephan van}}

Category:1991 births

Category:Dutch campaign managers

Category:Denk politicians

Category:Dutch people of Turkish descent

Category:Dutch agnostics

Category:Turkish agnostics

Category:Erasmus University Rotterdam alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Dutch MPs 2021–2023

Category:Dutch MPs 2023–

Category:Municipal councillors of Rotterdam

Category:Political staffers