BEEL, LOUIS JOZEF MARIA

(1902–1977)

   Politician and states man. After his studies of law at the Catholic Universityof Nijmegen (now Radboud University), Beel made a career in the civil service. After World War II, Beel was one of the founders of the new Katholieke Volkspartij (KVP, Catholic People’s Party) and was minister of the interior in 1945–1946 and 1951–1956. During the pe riod 1946–1948, he served the government as prime minister in the cabinet that had to solve the problems with Indonesia. In 1949, Beel became extraordinary professor of public administration in the Uni versity of Nijmegen (until 1952). He led a second (interim) cabinet in 1958–1959. Beel played an important role in Dutch domestic politics until 1972, with great authority, for example as vice president of the Council of State.