The Volkskrant has put Bernard Wientjes, head of the VNO-NCW employers organisation at the top of its list of 200 most influential people.

Wientjes overtakes Alexander Rinnooy Kan of the government´s SER advisory group, who has held the title for the past three years.
Wientjes, a sleeping VVD supporter, told the paper he had mixed feelings about the award. ´It is confirmation that we are lobbying well… but on the other hand that work is better carried out in silence. We only look for publicity if it is the only alternative,´ he said.

Politicians
Meanwhile, the parliamentary press has named VVD leader and new prime minister Mark Rutte as their politician of the year. CDA leader Maxime Verhagen was second and Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam PVV came in third.
Journalists voted Wouter Koolmees of the Liberal democrats D66 as new talent of the year.