The municipality
The municipality in Almere
The municipality in Almere is governed by the municipal council (the highest authority in Almere) and the Municipal Executive (the city’s daily administration).
The city council (gemeenteraad)
The city council represents the citizens of Almere. The council determines a lot, whether it’s about parking, the development of the new Floriade district, a new policy for sports, improvements in primary education or safety in your neighbourhood. The council decides on issues that affect the city. They meet (almost) every Thursday during the Political Market.
The members of the council are elected every four years by the local electorate (residents of 18 years and older). The size of the city determines the number of councillors. With a population of more than 200,000 residents, Almere has 45 councillors. The seats on the city council are allocated according to the proportion of the vote. Almere's city council consists of the following parties:
| Party | Place in political spectrum | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| VVD | People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (centre-right) | 8 |
| PvdA | Labour Party (centre-left) | 7 |
| PVV | Party for Freedom (right) | 6 |
| D66 | Democrats 66 (centre) | 5 |
| GroenLinks | GreenLeft (centre-left) | 4 |
| Leefbaar Almere | Local left-wing liberal party | 3 |
| SP | Socialist Party (left) | 3 |
| Partij voor de Dieren | Party for the Animals | 3 |
| CDA | Christian Democratic Party (centre right) | 2 |
| ChristenUnie | Christian Union (centre right) | 2 |
| Almere Partij/OPA | Almere party and elderly political active | 1 |
| Respect Almere | Socialist party | 1 |
The Municipal Executive (College van burgemeester en wethouders)
The day-to-day administration of Almere is in the hands of the Municipal Executive, made up of the mayor (Mr Franc Weerwind) and seven alderpersons. The mayor is appointed by Royal Decree for a renewable term of six years. The alderpersons are appointed for four years by the coalition parties that form a majority in the city council.
| Name | Party | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Franc Weerwind | D66 | Governance, Public safety, International relations |
| Hilde van Garderen | VVD | Public space, Art and culture, Urban renewal |
| Aldrik Dijkstra | CU | Youth, Education, Elderly, Health |
| Loes Ypma | PvdA | Floriade, Housing |
| Maaike Veeningen | D66 | Spatial and economic development, Education-Labour market |
| Jan Hoek | GL | Sustainability, Mobility, New democracy |
| Jerzy Soetekouw | CDA | Social affairs, Diversity, Integration |
| Jaap Lodders | VVD | Finance, Sport, Digitisation and Services |
The Political Market
Whereas most other city councils have plenary meetings once a month, Almere has one almost every week (on Thursday evenings, three times a month). In 2004, Almere's city council introduced this new form of meeting (the Political Market) for political decision-making. The Political Market is open to the public. Residents can visit the meetings and approach councillors or members of the Municipal Executive to discuss local issues. The meetings are also broadcast on the website (in Dutch).
The Council Panel
There are several ways to influence the city council, the council panel being one of them. The city council actively invites citizens (16 years and older) to think along by taking part in an internet panel. Questionnaires are sent out approximately once every two months, depending on the number and the nature of issues that are on the political agenda. If you live in Almere and want to join, you can register (in Dutch).
Be informed
If you want to know more about the city council, you can find all the information on our website (in Dutch).
