Ralf Stultiëns will stop as alderman of the municipality of Nuenen on 1 May. In his letter of resignation, he talks about excessive work pressure and health reasons. He also admits that he had too little knowledge and had not achieved enough. This makes him the second driver in the region to retire in a short time. Stultiëns has been an alderman since 2018.
The 46-year-old Stultiëns has been active in Nuenen politics since 2006 for the local party W70. First he was a municipal councilor for twelve years, then alderman and party chairman of W70. However, criticism was increasingly heard in the city council.
For example, he was accused of not doing enough to solve the housing problems of the Sinti caravan residents in Nuenen. Stultiëns admits that this criticism was justified and that he did not get enough done
‘Too much crumb’
In his letter of resignation, Stultiëns indicates that his work is ‘costly too much for him’. He mentions difficult, long-running dossiers, such as the housing of the Sinti, the development of the center and housing in Nuenen-West.
He also points out that he has too little knowledge of mobility, accessibility and road safety, some new tasks in his portfolio as alderman. According to him, this has ensured that ‘his energy tank is completely empty’. He finds his position physically and mentally too heavy.
Stultiëns has been an alderman since 2018. It is not yet known who will succeed him or who will temporarily take over his duties.
Too little support
Last week, Marc Jeucken took his leave as alderman in the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo, because he felt insufficient support from the city council.
Jeucken felt that he could not live up to expectations and that had consequences for his health. Just like his colleague in Geldrop-Mierlo, Stultiëns does not need an official farewell. Stultiëns reports to Omroep Brabant that he does not want to respond further at this time.
READ ALSO: Alderman in Geldrop-Mierlo stops: ‘Pressure is getting bigger’