Esther de Lange (born 25 May 1975) is a Dutch politician affiliated with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). Since 2014, she has served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Netherlands, sitting with the European People's Party (EPP) Group. Prior to her European mandate, de Lange was a member of the Dutch House of Representatives from 2003 to 2014.
Early life and education
De Lange was born in Dronten, Netherlands. She pursued higher education in political science, graduating from the University of Groningen with a degree in political science and public administration. Details regarding any further academic qualifications are not widely documented.
Political career
National politics
- In 2003, de Lange entered the Dutch House of Representatives, where she served for over a decade.
- During her tenure, she focused on fiscal policy, budgeting, and European affairs, acting as the CDA’s spokesperson on budgetary matters.
- She participated in parliamentary committees dealing with finance and economic affairs.
European Parliament
- Elected as an MEP in the 2014 European elections, de Lange has been re‑elected in subsequent elections.
- She is a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets and has served as its chairperson, overseeing the EU’s multi‑annual financial framework.
- De Lange has acted as rapporteur for several EU budgetary reports and has been involved in shaping the Parliament’s stance on fiscal discipline, cohesion policy, and climate‑related spending.
- She also participates in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the delegations for relations with the United States and with Southeast Asian nations.
Political positions
De Lange advocates for responsible fiscal policy, emphasizing balanced budgets and efficient allocation of EU funds. She supports strengthening the EU’s financial frameworks to ensure transparency and accountability while promoting investments in research, innovation, and climate action. Her positions align with the centrist‑conservative platform of the CDA and the EPP.
Personal life
Public information about de Lange’s personal life, including marital status and family, is limited. She maintains a low‑profile personal presence, focusing primarily on her political duties.
References
(Encyclopedic entries typically cite official parliamentary biographies, reputable news outlets, and the European Parliament’s website; specific source citations are omitted here for brevity.)