The largest party in Landgraaf – GBBL – is heading for a coalition with the CDA and three one-person factions from VVD, PvdA and GroenLinks.
Together, these parties have 18 of the 25 seats in the municipal council. GBBL’s choice is based on the discussions that formateur Andy Dritty has had with each party separately.
Debate
These were a follow-up to a public debate that took place last Tuesday in which all 8 parties could give their views on the formation of a new coalition. “We discussed three main themes with each party. The transition to sustainable energy, public housing and the trend break in the social domain. In terms of content, the five parties that will discuss further were closest to each other,” says Dritty.
He is, among other things, former alderman of GBBL and former deputy.
Intended coalition
Drtty himself continues to form the intended coalition. He expects to find out within a few days whether it is included or whether a coalition with fewer parties will emerge. In any case, there is no mention of alderman posts yet. If the coalition actually comes into being, this means that parties that were strongly opposed to a reorganization with Heerlen six years ago will once again govern together for the first time.
Discussion
GBBL and CDA resisted tooth and nail against the reclassification, which ultimately did not take place. VVD, PvdA and GroenLinks, among others, were there. “That discussion is a thing of the past. It’s no longer playing. That’s why we have to look forward,” says Dritty.
stumbling block
The choice of GBBL also means that the PVV will end up in the opposition and Landgraaf will not get the scoop from the first PVV alderman in the Netherlands. The PVV participated for the first time in the municipal elections and immediately won 3 seats. One of the stumbling blocks was the transition to sustainable energy. The PVV wanted to make it a free issue. But GBBL and the other potential college parties did not want that.
Elections
For the past four years, Landgraaf had a coalition of GBBL and CDA. GBBL lost its absolute majority in the elections, falling from 13 to 11 seats. She was by far the biggest. The CDA won one seat and went from 3 to 4 seats in the city council. The PvdA dropped from 2 to 1 seat, VVD and GroenLinks kept their one seat.
Also read: GBBL loses absolute majority of Landgraaf
The SP and the Elderly Party Landgraaf remained the same on 2 seats. Together with the PVV they will in any case form the opposition. Nevertheless, GBBL also states that it wants to achieve joint results for Landgraaf and its residents in the coming years with these three parties.