Dion Jean Gilbert Graus (born 19 March 1967 in Heerlen) is a Dutch politician. He has been an MP on behalf of the Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid, PVV) since 30 November 2006.
Dion Graus | |
|---|---|
 D.J.G. Graus | |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 30 November 2006 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dion Jean Gilbert Graus 19 March 1967 Heerlen |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Political party | Party for Freedom |
| Occupation | Politician |
Graus is a former car salesman and sales representative in veterinary products, and worked for the local Limburg television station TV Limburg.
Political career
editHe was first elected to the House in the 2006 general election, and he focused on matters of agriculture, animal rights, small and medium enterprises, public transport, aviation and rail transport.[1]
Graus secured a sixth term in November 2023, when the PVV received a plurality in a general election, and his portfolio includes animal welfare and NVWA.[2] Through the backing of the PVV, a proposal passed the House in March 2024 to weaken an earlier amendment prescribing that animals should be able to exhibit natural behavior. Graus was the only member of his parliamentary group who voted in favor of an unsuccessful alternative proposal by the Party for the Animals (PvdD) that preserved the original amendment, which had been supported by the PVV in 2021, by defining natural behaviors.[3] A motion by Graus and Ines Kostić (PvdD) was carried the same year urging the government to ban the trade and ownership of animals prohibited from breeding, such as pugs and Sphynx cats.[4][5] He also proposed to neuter wolves, after the return of the species to the Netherlands had caused disturbances.[6]
Controversy
editIn December 2006, stories in the Dutch media erupted accusing Graus of having a history of unpaid bills, fraud, lawsuits, disgruntled employers and abusive relations with women.[7] The Dutch justice department later reported that three counts filed against Graus were dismissed, without going into details about the other accusations.[8] In addition, the newspaper de Volkskrant on January 27, 2007 found several NRC allegations lacking substance e.g. the bills had been paid after all. The newspaper also reported that Graus had the full confidence of party leader Geert Wilders.[9]
Electoral history
edit| Year | Body | Party | Pos. | Votes | Result | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party seats | Individual | |||||||
| 2006 | House of Representatives | Party for Freedom | 6 | 1,296 | 9 | Won | [10] | |
| 2010 | House of Representatives | Party for Freedom | 9 | 2,435 | 24 | Won | [11] | |
| 2012 | House of Representatives | Party for Freedom | 11 | 2,387 | 15 | Won | [12] | |
| 2017 | House of Representatives | Party for Freedom | 12 | 3,725 | 20 | Won | [13] | |
| 2021 | House of Representatives | Party for Freedom | 13 | 1,194 | 17 | Won | [14] | |
| 2023 | House of Representatives | Party for Freedom | 14 | 1,548 | 37 | Won | [15] | |
References
edit- (in Dutch) Parlement.com biography
- ^ Van Keken, Kim (18 July 2018). "'Ik vertrouw dieren meer dan mensen'" ['I trust animals more than humans']. De Groene Amsterdammer (in Dutch). Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "Tweede Kamerfractie" [House of Representatives group]. Party for Freedom (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ De Goede, Agnes (19 March 2024). "PVV draait: partij laat standpunt dierenwelzijn los om formatie" [PVV pivots: Party]. RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Tweede Kamer wil mopshond en naaktkat weren uit de woonkamer" [House of Representatives wants to keep pugs and Sphynx cats out of living room]. NOS (in Dutch). 22 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Motie van de leden Graus en Kostic over een handel- en houdverbod voor dieren die in Nederland niet mogen worden gefokt" [Motion by members Graus and Kostić about a trade and ownership ban for animals prohibited from breeding in the Netherlands]. House of Representatives (in Dutch). 16 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ De Goede, Agnes; Munnik, Pieter (13 October 2024). "Tweede Kamer wil onvruchtbaar maken van wolven onderzoeken: 'Beter dan kogel'" [House of Representatives wants to investigate neutering of wolves: 'Better than the bullet']. RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ NRC article on disputed background of Dion GrausNooit Veroordeeld (Never convicted) NRC Handelsblad December 10, 2006
- ^ Zaken tegen Graus waren geseponeerd, NRC Handelsblad
- ^ (in Dutch) Volkskrant January 27, 2007 Graus pareert de zwaarste aanvallen Link
- ^ "Proces-verbaal zitting Kiesraad uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 2006" [Records meeting Duch Electoral Council results 2006 general election] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 27 November 2006. pp. 131–132. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 2010" [Results 2010 general election] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 16 June 2010. pp. 30–31. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 2012" [Results 2012 general election] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 17 September 2012. pp. 60–61. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Uitslag Tweede Kamerverkiezing 2017 (getekend exemplaar)" [Results House of Representatives 2017 (signed example)] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 21 March 2017. pp. 64–65. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Proces-verbaal verkiezingsuitslag Tweede Kamer 2021" [Report of the election results House of Representatives 2021] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 29 March 2021. pp. 18–19. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Proces-verbaal van de uitslag van de verkiezing van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 2023 d.d. 4 december 2023" [Report of the results of the election of the House of Representatives on 4 December 2023] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 4 December 2023. pp. 33–34. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
External links
edit- (in Dutch) House of Representatives biography
