Jelte Kolkman may soon be the youngest councilor in the Netherlands
Arnhem and surroundings
DE STEEG – Jelte Kolkman is the number 2 on the electoral list of the VVD in Rheden. Kolkman, who is still at school, has a chance to become the youngest councilor in the Netherlands on March 16, 2022. He will be 18 years old just over a week before the election.
Kolkman wants to devote himself every four years to the youth in the municipality. He also wants to work for the climate and emancipation. He finds it important to look for the connection between several generations. But who is Jelte Kolkman anyway? Studio Rheden went to visit Jelte in Rheden and asked him some questions.
Why is your interest in politics so great?
Corona has changed a lot in the lives of me and my peers. Since the beginning of this intense period I started that my interest in politics started to grow. I went to investigate why choices were made and I watched debates intently. This interest is, I think, not crazy during. When I was a little boy, I also remember that I could always worry about the results of the elections. Politics is the place where you can make a difference for people and this is exactly what appeals to me.
You are currently in sixth grade at Het Rhedens in Dieren. Do you still have time to spare besides your studies?
This is a very valid question that can also be broadened. Young people currently suffer a lot from complaints that are also caused by crowds, something that worries me a lot. I am therefore very happy that the VVD has good guidance and that the team keeps a close eye on each other. I also have some very sweet friends and family who always keep an eye on me to make sure I don’t do too much. Personally, I have enough time to join the council, otherwise I wouldn’t have run for election. Fortunately, there is always enough space for school, because school comes first. I plan so that I have enough time to do fun things with my friends!
You are almost 18 years old, you are number 2 in the electoral list, that is what you want to be a councilor in the future. What will change for you in the future?
Besides the fact that I think that I will have a great time (especially with the team we have in Rheden), I am also sure that I will do everything I can to represent the inhabitants as well as possible. I think people who know me will confirm this: as soon as I start something I really want to do it really well. For example, last year at school I turned a small social education assignment into a huge project together with a friend. I think, no, I’m sure that with that kind of energy I will go into the council; I just want to do really, really well.
In addition to your studies, you also work at Pannekoekhuis Strijland, what do you do there and will you continue to do so?
I have been working at Strijland for almost four years with great pleasure. At Strijland I am behind the bar and in the kitchen. There I am, together with one of the three cooks, baking pancakes for all the guests behind a large stove. My goal is to keep working here, because mainly I can’t do without my colleagues and I always have a good laugh.
What will you do after you graduate, do you want to continue your studies or do you have other plans?
First I would like to have a nice holiday actually, the exam year is hard work. These are all people who have been in their final year of exams will confirm. But I would like to start on vacation with public administration with an economic challenge in it, because this is a subject that I find very interesting. I’m not sure exactly where I’m going to do this.
Where do you see yourself in four years, are you also interested in national politics?
I hope behind the podium in the new town hall of Rheden. I just want to use the time for local politics and then I’ll see later. I did, however, set one goal for later. I want to commit myself to help equal rights and women. I want to make one more call for the elections on March 16. It is known that many young people do not vote in these elections. I want the calls, go vote! The choices that will be made over the four years for our local generation. It’s really important that your opinion counts.
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