André Rouvoet, the face of the ChristenUnie in recent years, is leaving politics after 17 years. Peter Blokhuis party chairman: "With the departure of Andre Rouvoet ChristenUnie loses a highly valued and talented politician."

In 2005 he was elected politician of the year, and with his track record the politician of that decade. André Rouvoet, in the 11 years that the ChristenUnie exists now, largely determined the party's face. We respect the decision of André, but will particularly miss him. He has made an immense substantive contribution to Christian politics and put it on the map in recent years. He was a keen debater and has been able to enter the conversation with the political forces around the party.

André Rouvoet has strongly deployed to key issues of Christian politics such as a youth and family policy and the fundamental rights debate. Led by the duo Rouvoet and Slob and the ChristenUnie became the driving force of the fourth Balkenende kabinet of the CDA, PvdA and ChristenUnie, which Rouvoet was also deputy prime minister.

André Rouvoet was often in Amsterdam and Zuidoost . Thus he opened the church building, De Kandelaar and he has been back in 2010. He also gave an impressive speech at slavery commemoration last year. The fraction of the CU in Zuidoost regrets the departure of the leading Christian politician, but understands his choice.

Mr. Arie Slob, who was elected new leader, has shown how he operates as an MP and as a MP fraction chairman. With enthusiasm he is able to bind groups and make good decisions. He will work with the new group to give face to the political program of the ChristenUnie.

André, many thanks for the tremendous dedication and God's blessing for the future!

André Rouvoet below during the opening of Candlestick: