Yet the party only lasted one council term. According to councilor Schimmel, the merger between the two parties would never have really worked.
The upcoming municipal elections and the party’s new list of candidates are causing a rift within the party. The cultural differences appear to be too great, says Schimmel. Party chairman Frank Wyers says: “Unfortunately, it turned out that the old blood groups continued to predominate. It was not possible to grow into a unity.”
Dissatisfaction with party leader
Wij Gooise Meren says that the party recently chose Vera van Etten as party leader. Schimmel would have had difficulty with that. According to the faction, he wanted to head the list himself.
“It is very shocking for us to find that – now that this did not work – his place on the list is apparently a reason to follow his own course, instead of supporting the outcome supported by the members,” the party said.
Major consequences
There is no doubt that the split will have consequences, but exactly how great the consequences will be is still unclear. Alderman Schimmel’s position is uncertain: he can continue as an independent alderman, but the municipal council has yet to decide on this.
The new municipal elections will be held in March next year.