The SP Group in the Tweede Kamer (Lower House of Parliament)
A very important chapter in the history of the party was the breakthrough into the national political arena in 1994, with two SP members elected to the ‘Tweede Kamer’, Parliament’s lower house and main legislative chamber. Today the SP group in the Tweede Kamer is made up of nine MPs:
Lilian Marijnissen
(1985) Once Lilian was the youngest member of the municipal council of Oss, a position which she held for more than 12 years. Before becoming a member of the Dutch parliament she worked as organizer and campaign leader for the FNV (union). Since entering Parliament in 2016 she has been spokesperson on Healthcare, in December 2017 she succeeded Emile Roemer as leader of the SP parliamentary group.
Mahir Alkaya
(1988) After his grandfather immigrated to the Netherlands, Mahir was born and raised in Amsterdam and is a proud citizen of Amsterdam New-West. In 2014 he became the representative for the SP in the local council of this neighborhood. Since entering Parliament in 2016 he has been spokesperson on Finance,
Michiel van Nispen
(1982) - Studied Dutch law, gained a Masters' degree in International and European Public Law, and worked in the legal profession before becoming, in 2007, a policy advisor on legal affairs for the SP's parliamentary team in the lower house. On 2nd April, 2014, he became a Member of Parliament. He is now spokesperson on Justice and Sports.
Sandra Beckerman
Sandra Beckerman (1983), Archaeologist, team leader of SP Scientific Bureau/SPark (the SP’s alternative court of auditors), and chair of the SP-fraction in the Provincial Council of Groningen. Sandra is spokesperson on Housing, Neighbourhoods, quality of life in vulnerable areas and the consequences of gas extraction.
Peter Kwint
Peter Kwint (1984), Communication strategist and municipal councillor for the SP in Amsterdam. Peter is spokesperson on Education, Culture and Media.
Bart van Kent
Bart van Kent (1983), parliamentary assistant Social Affairs for the SP in Parliament and Chair of the SP municipal fraction in The Hague. Bart is spokesperson on Social Affairs.
Jasper van Dijk
(1971) - Political scientist. Formerly university lecturer, then worked for the SP's political groups in both the Tweede Kamer and the European Parliament, at the same time representing the party on Amsterdam Council. Elected to Parliament in 2006, he is spokesperson on Europe, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Migration.