According to Ter Heegde, it has always been the case that local politicians are confronted about controversial topics, but that criticism has become more personal. “In the past, for example, during the squatter riots, there was also heavy criticism of politics, but what you see more and more since the corona crisis is that pressure is increasingly being exerted on the individual.”
Council members in Gooise Meren also told him that they were faced with threatening situations. “Fortunately, we have not yet seen any council members voting differently because of incidents like that, but the concerns are really great.” Safety measures have also been taken in recent years, such as installing cameras at the homes of councilors.
A new reality awaits new council members
With the municipal elections around the corner, a new crop of local politicians is arriving. According to Ter Heegde, they must take a new reality into account. “In their induction process, time is explicitly spent on how you as a councilor should deal with confrontation and what you can do about it. But the fact is that the files that lead to these emotions are no less pressing for the time being.”
Ter Heegde nevertheless does not intend to allow himself to be pushed into a corner. “I continue to talk to residents, angry or not angry. As mayor you are the figurehead of your municipality, and an intermediary between citizens and politicians. The distance between the two must be as small as possible.”