Sophie Hermans

Sophia Theodora Monique Hermans (born 1 May 1981) is a Dutch politician currently serving as the minister of health, welfare and sport since 2026 in the Jetten cabinet. She previously served as Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands and Minister of Climate and Green Growth in the Schoof cabinet from 2024 to 2026. Hermans also previously served as a member of the House of Representatives representing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy between 2017 and 2024.

Early life and education

Hermans is the daughter of former politician Loek Hermans. She completed her vwo, studied political science in Amsterdam and completed postdoctoral courses at San Francisco State University and London Business School.

Career

Hermans's first job was as a consultant in Utrecht. She served as political assistant to Minister Stef Blok and Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Hermans entered on the House of Representatives on 23 March 2017, and she was her party's spokesperson for healthcare. She served as deputy parliamentary leader of the VVD. She acted as negotiator during the 2021-2022 cabinet formation. She became parliamentary leader on 11 January 2022, when Rutte resigned from the House to become Prime Minister in his new cabinet.

In June 2022, Hermans held a personal speech at the party congress. She denied owing her position to her father or her work as Rutte's assistant. During a subsequent debate, Geert Wilders (PVV) asked her how long she intended to remain Rutte's "bag bearer" (Dutch: tassendrager). Hermans was moved by this remark. Speaker Vera Bergkamp asked Wilders to stay with the subject-matter. Hermans's response was met with the approval of the chamber, and several other parliamentary leaders condemned Wilders' comment.