According to the confidential committee that dealt with the nomination, Pechtold is a candidate “with extensive political and administrative experience at both local and national level with an extensive national network and bonding with the city”. He has shown himself to the committee “as an experienced and skilled director who can connect to people with jeu and humor and can further strengthen the position of Delft in the region and further”. Pechtold was born in Delft.
Pechtold was the D66 party leader in the Lower House from 2006 to 2018. Before that, from 2003 to 2005, he was the mayor of Wageningen and from 2005 to 2006 Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Balkenende II cabinet. The current D66 leader Rob Jetten congratulates his predecessor on X: “Delft gets a passionate, experienced and committed mayor with Alexander Pechtold. A great match for this beautiful and innovative city with so much history.”
With the recommendation of Alexander Pechtold by the city council, the procedure for the appointment of the new mayor has not yet been completed. The Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations makes a nomination after handling in the Council of Ministers. The next step in the procedure is a Royal Decree in which the appointment is made.
Alexander Pechtold is expected to be installed as mayor by the King’s Commissioner on Thursday 4 September 2025 during a special council meeting.