Former minister Frans Andriessen passed away at age 89

Former KVP leader and Finance Minister Frans Andriessen passed away at the age of 89, his family confirmed to news wire ANP on Friday. Andriessen was the last leader of the Catholic people's party KVP in 1972. In the following years he played an important role in the establishment of the CDA, NOS reports.

As KVP leader Andriessen supported the left-wing government of Joop den Uyl, but he was also critical of that government for spending too much money. In 1977 the CDA formed a government with the VVD, partly because Den Uyl did not want Andriessen in his second cabinet, according to the broadcaster. In this government Andriessen was appointed the Minister of Finance, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dries van Agt. The government promised to make substantial budget cuts to get the economy back in order, but little came of it. Out of frustration, Andriessen resigned in 1980.

After that Andriessen was a member of the European Commission for 13 years. As vice-president for French man Jacques Delors, he played an important role in the creation of the European Union and the establishment of the Economic and Monetary Union, which later led ot the introduction of the euro.