Former history and social studies teacher, and Royal Commissioner for the Dutch Province of Zuid-Holland. He is a member of the VVD. He began his political career as an advisor to Hans Wiegel. He was also a city councillor of Nederhorst den Berg, leader of the provinciale staten of Noord-Holland and leader of the Tweede Kamer (1982-1994).

In 2005 Franssen was criticised for accountancy tasks he alloted as commissisoner to Deloitte, to whom he was an advisor. This, however, did not prevent his appointment of a Commissioner in 2006. He is also the current chairman of the Interprovinciaal Overleg (IPO), that looks after provincial interests.