Swearing-in of the new city council - April 1, 2026

I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all at this special meeting of the Voorne aan Zee City Council. And a very special welcome to our friends from the City Administration of Havlíčkův Brod. We truly appreciate that you traveled all the way to the Netherlands to join us today in the festivities of April Fools’ Day and tonight to celebrate our local democracy, which is very much alive. I’m afraid I must continue in Dutch, but you have been provided with an English version, so I hope you can follow everything.

Ladies and gentlemen, today’s meeting is not taking place at the town hall in Hellevoetsluis as you are accustomed to, but from our beautiful St. Catherine’s Church in the fortress town of Brielle. And that is no coincidence. Because today is April 1. Under the Electoral Act, new councils are being installed today in nearly 340 municipalities across the Netherlands. But there is only one municipality where April 1st holds an exceptionally important additional significance—a direct link to our national history. And that is here, in the fortress town of Brielle in Voorne aan Zee.

For exactly 454 years ago today, when the Watergeuzen captured the fortress of Den Briel from the Spanish, the struggle that marked the beginning of our freedom began here. And I say “our” deliberately, because we are still reaping the benefits of that freedom. We were the ‘primitiae libertatis,’ the First Fruits of Freedom. And we are still very proud to be the descendants of those first fruits. So proud, in fact, that we Voorne aan Zee included this motto in the coat of arms of Voorne aan Zee .

And how special is it that we are able to install our new municipal council here today, in the heart of that significant part of our national history? Our council members are thus literally following in the footsteps of history. Being a council member in Voorne aan Zee therefore Voorne aan Zee a special significance. For as the First People of Freedom, we in Voorne aan Zee bear Voorne aan Zee special responsibility for our freedom. Especially as the municipal government. And more than 450 years later, that freedom remains extremely fragile. One glance at Nu.nl you know that our freedom is still by no means a given. So it is up to us, the municipal government, to show how we handle our freedom. How we can differ in opinion while still governing the municipality together. Freedom is not left-wing. Freedom is not right-wing. Freedom is our greatest asset. And that is what we stand for in Voorne aan Zee.

But as Kierkegaard once said: “Life is understood backward, but must be lived forward.” So, with that valuable history in hand, tonight we are looking primarily to the future. Last night we bid farewell to the “old” city council—the first council of Voorne aan Zee. Tonight, however, marks the beginning of a new term of office. For a new council is taking office. And while I just mentioned that these new council members are following in the footsteps of history tonight, they are also following in the footsteps of all those council members who came before them. All of them dedicated individuals who have worked with tremendous passion to create a better living environment. For a more beautiful municipality. A great responsibility therefore rests on your shoulders. The responsibility of carrying on all that meaningful history, but above all, the responsibility for the future of our beautiful municipality. As a member of the municipal council, you are part of the municipality’s highest governing body, and it is partly up to you to shape the course of Voorne aan Zee. That future now lies in your hands.

When I look at the energy and creativity of the recent election campaign, I am convinced that the next four years will bring Voorne aan Zee wonderful things to Voorne aan Zee . I have seen so much love, passion, and concrete ideas for our municipality.  But I took something else away from the campaign as well. Municipal elections in the Netherlands are always held in March. And every time, I find myself wondering: who on earth came up with that? Because it always means campaigning in the rain and the cold. But whether it’s the winter weather or the realization that we face a major challenge, I’ve felt a strong desire among all parties to work together to move our beautiful municipality forward. To seize opportunities. To make it even more beautiful. And let’s always keep in mind that the past serves primarily to teach us lessons.

Herman Gorter put it so beautifully in his magnificent poem *May*: “A new spring, a new sound.” I can’t think of words more fitting for our new council.

Dear Council Members, starting tonight, we will continue to build our wonderful community. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your wonderful new role. As a council member, you are the standard-bearer of our local democracy. I wish you a wonderful, successful, and above all, enjoyable time. Because being a council member is a wonderful experience. I, and of course the Municipal Clerk’s Office the municipal administration, are very much looking forward to working with you!