Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven (; ; 23 December 1949 – 19 October 2025), generally known as Els de Groen, was a Dutch author and politician, who served as a Member of the European Parliament 2004–2009. She was a member of Europe Transparent, which sat with the Greens/EFA party group. As an MEP, she was a member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Petitions, as well as a member of the delegation to the EU–Bulgaria Joint Parliamentary Committee and a substitute for the delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Europe. De Groen died on 19 October 2025, at the age of 75.

Career

  • Senior secondary teaching certificate
  • French teacher (1970–1975)
  • Writer, essayist and commentator
  • Literary reviewer, children's books (1985–1992)
  • Editor of the Algemeen Dagblad's children's newspaper (1986–1989)
  • Worked for 20 years on news magazines
  • Author of various works of fiction and non-fiction for adults
  • Her work over 20 years placed a strong emphasis on Eastern Europe
  • Unpaid adviser to the Dutch foundation 'Roma-Emancipatie' in Oss (from 2002)
  • Various literary awards

Notes

References

  • European Parliament biography
  • Parlement.com biography