Kok, Wim (1938– )

Dutch trade unionist and politician, leader of the Partij van der Arbeid (PvdA; Labour Party) (PvdA) and prime minister 1994–2002. After an inconclusive general election in May 1994, Kok eventually succeeded in forming a broad-based three-party coalition of the PvdA with the People's Party of Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and Democrats 66 (D-66), both centrist parties. In August 2001, Kok announced that he would stand down as PvdA leader after elections in May 2002, and named parliamentary floor leader Ad Melkert as his chosen successor.

Kok spent over 20 years in the trade-union movement before winning a parliamentary seat for the PvdA in 1986. He became its leader and served as deputy prime minister 1989–94 in the centre-left coalition of Ruud Lubbers, before accepting the challenge of succeeding him.