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Former CDA MP Sytze Faber dies

Faber was a journalist, mayor of Hoogeveen and an independent thinker within the CDA.

Sytze Faber has died at the age of 89, Dutch media report. The former CDA politician was previously a journalist, member of the Lower House and mayor of Hoogeveen. He was known for his independent position within Christian democracy.

According to Parlement.com, Faber was born in Schettens in 1937, studied public administration and worked at the Fryske Akademy before becoming active in journalism and politics. Parlement.com says he was editor-in-chief of Friesch Dagblad before joining the Lower House in 1977.

In the Lower House, Faber was involved in domestic administration, policing, nature policy and science policy, among other areas. He was initially affiliated with the ARP and joined the CDA after that party’s merger.

Parlement.com describes his political style as independent. It says Faber was regarded as belonging to the CDA’s left wing and did not unconditionally submit to parliamentary party discipline or political group formation.

In 1985, he left national politics to become mayor of Hoogeveen. He held that position until 1998. He later remained active as an administrator, columnist and chairman of various organisations, including IKON and the Koninklijke Nederlandse Schaakbond.

Faber continued to write about administration and democracy after his political career. Retrospectives describe him as someone who combined political convictions with attention to administrative practice and social institutions.

Reports of his death contain no public details about the cause of death. His death marks the end of a long career in which journalism, academia, local government and national politics came together.

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