René van der Weide is withdrawing as a candidate councilor for his party Wakker Emmen. Van der Weide was recently involved in a one-vehicle car accident involving alcohol.
“I made a huge mistake and take full responsibility for it,” the politician said in a statement. “This does not fit with an exemplary role that belongs to public administration, which is why I have decided to withdraw from politics.” According to Van der Weide, personal problems are the basis for this situation, for which he has asked for help.
Wakker Emmen is currently in the midst of formation discussions with PvdA and VVD for a new council for the municipality of Emmen. The local party announced two weeks ago that it would say goodbye to Jan Bos and put Van der Weide forward to take a seat on the council of aldermen and mayor. He would return to Emmer politics after a two-year absence.
As a 26-year-old, he started as an alderman for Wakker Emmen in 2014, a position he held for ten years. When he started in 2014, he was the youngest councilor in the Netherlands at the time. He quit two years ago because he “felt like a new challenge.” Van der Weide has since worked as a civil servant for the municipalities of Hoogeveen and De Wolden.
According to Wakker Emmen, Van der Weide’s withdrawal has no consequences for the ongoing coalition negotiations. “We appreciate that René is open about this and takes responsibility himself.” The party will be looking for a new candidate for alderman.
