Drees climbed the long political ladder from municipal councillor to alderman and member of parliament. He was appointed Minister for Social Affairs in the first elected cabinet following the Second World War. He introduced legislation that came to be known as the Drees Emergency Act, which provided senior citizens with regular state benefits . Drees was a popular figure, and in 1948 he became prime minister. It was his task to oversee the post-war reconstruction of the Netherlands. It turned out that Drees was the perfect man for the job, and he ensured that the country was rebuilt with a sense of unity and purpose. His period of leadership, which lasted until 1958, saw the founding of modern national healthcare and welfare systems. This great statesman is still revered for his efforts on behalf of the Netherlands.
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