Marleen Barth

Magdalena Antoinette Maria (Marleen) Barth (born 21 March 1964 in Den Helder) is a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA) and trade unionist, and a former journalist.

Barth studied political science, with a specialty in public administration, at the University of Amsterdam. She worked as a parliamentary reporter for Trouw (1990-1997), was a member of the House of Representatives (1998-2002), a member of the States-Provincial of North Holland (2003-2004) and chair of CNV Onderwijs (Christian teachers' union) (2005-2008). She has been chair of GGZ Nederland (organisation for mental health) since 2008.

She was lijsttrekker for the Labour Party in the Dutch Senate election of 2011 and 2015. Since 7 June 2011 she has been a member of the Senate as well as Senate group leader of the Labour Party.

Personal life

Marleen Barth is married to former D66 MP Jan Hoekema (second marriage for both), since 2007 mayor of Wassenaar.