Limburg Officials Take Out Advertisement Condemning Intimidation of Local politicians
Venlo, Netherlands – Administrators in the Dutch province of Limburg have published a large advertisement denouncing the threats and intimidation directed at Venlo mayor Antoin Scholten and several council members. The ad directly addresses escalating tensions surrounding the planned arrival of an asylum seeker center (AZC) in the region.
The advertisement highlights a growing trend of aggression towards local politicians across the Netherlands, particularly those involved in decisions regarding the dispersal of asylum seekers.The situation in Venlo is not isolated; the mayor of Terneuzen resigned on Monday,citing a lack of confidence in the municipal council after they voted against an AZC under perceived pressure. According to figures from last year, 45 percent of local politicians in the Netherlands have experienced aggression or intimidation since 2022, wiht verbal abuse and threats being commonplace.
“You keep your hands off politicians and mayors,” stated Emile Roemer,commenting on the need to protect elected officials. The Limburg advertisement is framed as both a plea to citizens and a call for support from The Hague, as municipalities feel unsupported in implementing national dispersal laws. Roemer emphasized the importance of respectful dialog, urging citizens to express their opinions without resorting to threats or violence, stating, “Don’t make threats or throw stones thru the window so that council members no longer dare to go out on the street.”
