The councilors give dozens of examples of intimidation and threats, including death. Often by e-mail or letter, via social media, but also by telephone and on the street. “I have been threatened in the schoolyard in the presence of my children because of an issue surrounding the relocation of a pigsty,” writes a councilor from North Brabant. In Eindhoven, a councilor was attacked at home and a window was smashed. “Stuck in the supermarket and threatened with death in front of my wife,” says a councilor from a medium-sized municipality in Drenthe.
In Loenen aan de Vecht, a car was scratched three times in eight days. A councilor from a Groningen municipality reports: “Smashing windows, daubing, dog feces through the letterbox.” A 72-year-old councilor has been yelled at and menacingly grabbed by his sweater. In Rotterdam, councilors received death threats in connection with the issue surrounding the new Feyenoord stadium.
Black Pete
The reasons are very diverse. This may concern the construction of windmills or solar parks, the arrival of an asylum seekers center, Zwarte Piet or plans for new construction. Sometimes it is confused individuals who blame councilors for their situation. It is striking that women are more often threatened and intimidated than men.
Several councilors say they suffered from threats and intimidation from the college of mayor and aldermen. At least that is how it is experienced by councilors in, among others, Hollands Kroon, Den Helder, Zaanstad, Diemen and Frisian Lakes.
Zoom Meetings
No fewer than 82 percent of councilors agree with the statement that digital meetings have made work less fun during corona. “Contact with the city, councilors and party members is limited to functional online appointments. Informal and very valuable meetings are rarer,” says Bas Verberk (D66, Tilburg).
Leendert Karreman (VVD, Zuidplas) finds meetings a lot less pleasant. “This also reduces the informal contacts that are so important to be able to find each other in political views.” Marieke Albert (GroenLinks, Rijswijk) mainly misses contact with citizens: “You talk to fewer residents and other stakeholders because events and other meetings were canceled or took place digitally.”
satisfying work
The fact that most councilors nevertheless put themselves up for re-election is because they find the council’s work very satisfactory: 64 percent are very satisfied, another 21 percent are fairly satisfied with what they have achieved. Most of them became councilors because they wanted to contribute to society. And that is also experienced. On average, they spend sixteen to twenty hours a week on it, in addition to their regular job. On average, conducting an opposition takes more time than if you are part of a coalition party, according to the answers.
Ambiance
If councilors nevertheless decide to stop, this is largely due to the workload. A (bad) atmosphere in the city council can also play a role or family that exerts pressure to stop. Half of the councilors are not satisfied with the level of the council, the same as four years ago.
When asked about their wishes for the future, they would like a higher compensation, more education and more support.
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