Peter Heijkoop nominated as new mayor of Leiden

On Tuesday 9 July, the municipal council determined that Peter Heijkoop will likely be nominated as the brand new mayor of Leiden. Heijkoop will thus be the successor to Henri Lenferink, who retired on 31 August 2023. Till the set up of the brand new mayor, Peter van der Velden will stay appearing mayor.

Heijkoop (1983) has intensive administrative expertise. He’s an alderman in Dordrecht (social affairs, public housing, main schooling and finance) and deputy mayor. As a member of the VNG board, he has strongly advocated for the livelihood safety of residents. From 2011 to 2016, Heijkoop was a member of the municipal council of Dordrecht on behalf of the CDA. Heijkoop studied well being sciences at Erasmus College Rotterdam and labored from
2012 to 2016 at Woonzorg Nederland. Heijkoop lives along with his spouse and 4 kids in Dordrecht.

“His private strategy and expertise slot in seamlessly with the profile drawn up by and for Leiden,” says Rembrandt Rowaan, chairman of the confidential committee.
“He radiates real involvement, instantly conjures up confidence and has a fantastic social coronary heart. That makes Peter Heijkoop the mayor we’re in search of in Leiden. An enthusiastic chief on the content material, an empathetic crew participant in the direction of the folks of Leiden.”

“It’s a nice honor to be nominated by the Leiden metropolis council as mayor of this stunning metropolis,” says Heijkoop in a response. “I sit up for beginning a brand new chapter in our lives along with my younger household on this hospitable metropolis. Along with the residents, firms and organizations, I wish to work on a future through which everybody feels at house and heard, and the place Leiden works collectively self-consciously and connectingly in an important area stuffed with alternatives. I wish to be seen and approachable for each resident of Leiden, in good occasions and dangerous.”

Heijkoop was chosen from 26 candidates. 11 ladies and 15 males responded to the emptiness. The candidates included (former) mayors, (former) aldermen, candidates with a nationwide profile and candidates with different expertise in public administration, enterprise or civil society.

The advice of the municipal council to nominate Peter Heijkoop as the brand new mayor of Leiden will likely be despatched to the Minister of the Inside and Kingdom Relations. The official appointment will likely be made by Royal Decree, signed by His Majesty the King. Peter Heijkoop will likely be put in on 19 September 2024, throughout a particular council assembly.