Alderman Sharon Dijksma (Traffic and Transport) will be the new mayor of Utrecht. That was announced tonight.
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She has been officially nominated by the city council as the new mayor. Minister Kajsa Ollongren and King Willem-Alexander have yet to consider the appointment, but that is normally only a formality.
‘I am leaving Amsterdam with a heavy heart,’ writes the alderman on Twitter. ‘A city that has become dear to me. I have enjoyed working on everything that drives and sails. I am proud of my team and what we have achieved. Especially during this difficult time, with a lot of impact on public transport. ‘
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Dijksma became an alderman in Amsterdam in 2018, before that she was State Secretary. Before her appointment here, she said she wanted public transport to become the ‘artery of the city’. For the past two years, she has been mainly concerned with the plans to make the city car-free and the repair of the bridges and quays.
‘Mayor of all Utrecht residents’
Dijksma tweets that she is ‘proud and grateful’ for the trust she has received from the majority of the Utrecht city council tonight. ‘I hope to be a mayor for all Utrecht residents. I look forward to getting to know the city, the neighborhoods and the people soon! ‘
The Utrecht city council says it warmly welcomes Dijksma. ‘With the nomination of Sharon Dijksma, Utrecht will have an experienced and committed administrator who, as mayor, plays an important role in connecting all residents and entrepreneurs in Utrecht. Especially in these difficult times as a result of the corona virus, this is more important than ever. ‘
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RTV Utrecht made a television broadcast tonight from the town hall in Utrecht, Dijksma also responded via a video link:
