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Government
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 municipal council ('gemeenteraad')
The municipal council represents the citizens of Almere. It is responsible for policy framework, budget assessment and supervision of the municipal executive. The members of the municipal council are elected every four years by the local electorate (residents of 18 years and older). The size of the municipality determines the number of councilors. With a population of 195,000 residents, Almere has 39 councilors. The seats on the municipal council are allocated according to the proportion of the vote. Almere’s municipal council consists of the following parties:
| Party | Place in political spectrum | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| PVV | party for freedom | 8 |
| PvdA | labor party | 8 |
| VVD | liberal party | 7 |
| D66 | social-liberal democratic party | 3 |
| GroenLinks | green party | 3 |
| Leefbaar Almere | local left-wing liberal party | 3 |
| SP | socialist party | 2 |
| CDA | christian democratic party | 2 |
| Fractie Sinke | two-person faction | 2 |
| ChristenUnie | christian union | 1 |
The municipal executive ('college van B en W')
The day-to-day administration of Almere is in the hands of the municipal executive, made up of the mayor (Mrs. Annemarie Jorritsma-Lebbink) and five 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 municipal council.
| Name | Party | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Annemarie Jorritsma | VVD | governance and public safety |
| Adri Duivesteijn | PvdA | sustainable spatial planning |
| Ineke Smidt | PvdA | social affairs, health and integration |
| Ben Scholten | VVD | economic development |
| Ed Anker | CDA/ChristenUnie | transport, land use and environment |
| René Peeters | D66 | youth, education and sports |
The Political Market
Whereas municipal councils in most other municipalities have plenary meetings once a month, Almere has one every week (on Thursday evenings). In 2004,
Almere’s municipal council instated this weekly meeting (the Political Market) as a means of political decision-making. The Political Market is open to the public.
Residents can visit the meetings and approach councilors or members of the
executive to discuss local issues. The meetings are also broadcasted on the
municipal website almere.nl.
The Council Panel
The municipal council actively invites citizens to think along by taking part in an internet panel. Questionnaires are sent out once or twice a month, depending on the number and the nature of issues that are on the political agenda.
