The recess has started – which Amsterdam politicians stood out, who should work harder?
The coalition of PvdA, GroenLinks and D66 has been in power for exactly 45 days today. The new city council will be there for a few months longer. High time for vacation, then. And for a small balance. Who has stood out in Amsterdam politics in recent months?
Puzzle: Juliet Broersen (Volt). The striking sound of Broersen in the council on Thursday was her ringtone. Even in the debate on the impoverishment of public transport, the pan-European party remained silent. After three months, it is still unclear what Volt stands for. Broersen can better use the holiday to make choices.
Diligent: Suleyman Koyuncu (Think). He submitted plenty of motions and amendments, ten have been adopted since March. He is not afraid to debate topics. Profit warning: Submitting the arguments doesn’t immediately make you most effective.
Absent: Jazie Veldhuyzen (Bij1). For a few months now, Veldhuyzen has been letting committees and the council pass by. He has indicated on social media that he is having a hard time. Hopefully the summer will help him get to rust. If that doesn’t work, Bij1 has to put forward a (temporary) new face.
Turn warm: Farley Asruf (Labour). It is pleasant in the PvdA/GroenLinkshoek. Nice chat, encouraging each other, lots of mutual jokes. Named the city’s largest party, Asruf showed this week that politics is more than sentimental maiden speeches. He parried attacks from just about the sharpest councilors Kevin Kreuger (JA21) and Daan Wijnants (VVD) and was critical of D66 alderman Melanie van der Horst. chapel.
Craftsmanship: Diederik Boomsma (CDA). Amsterdam and democracy should be grateful that this 44-year-old golden oldie still on the council. ‘The best councilor in the Netherlands’ has continued what he has been doing for over eight years: starting good opposition on all subjects with file knowledge.
headaches: Shula Rijxman (D66). As alderman, she has not shown much. Troubles at the NPO, where she was a director, haunt her. They have clumsy apps and let a D66 councilor do the talking for her. It is unclear to the city had come.
Well understood: Myron von Gerhardt (VVD). The young politician enters the debate vigorously and has good opposition. He managed to elicit, among other things, alderman Reinier van Dantzig that construction ambitions will not be achieved in the coming years. Making it easy to understand is also expressed above in volume, often just a little too loud.
• At the ball: Ilana Rooderkerk (D66). The party leader is off to a good start. Problems, such as insecurity at IJburg College? She stands for asking critical questions. Van take the abortion clinic that wants a buffer zone. Rooderkerk tells a story – and does not shy away from dualism.
This is the last Republic of Amsterdam of the political season. The column returns in September.
Political reporter David Hielkema In ‘Republic of Amsterdam’ highlights a political topic from the city.
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