sentences:  During that period he was alderman for social affairs from 1919 to 1931 and for finance and public works through to 1933.For 22 years between 1919 and 1941 Drees also held a seat on the Provincial Council of South Holland and for 19 years between 1927 and 1946 one on the Social Democratic Workers' Party executive.Between 1933 and 1940 he represented the Social Democratic Workers' Party in the House of Representatives and from 1939 as leader in the House of Representatives
  
  During the German occupation he was taken hostage in Buchenwald concentration camp in October 1940.