LEUSDEN – Leusden is not interested in windmills and solar fields. That can be concluded now that the votes of the municipal elections have been counted. A new party, Locally Important, became the largest out of nowhere and won no fewer than 7 of the 23 seats. It is clear to them that the previous municipal council wanted to move too quickly in the energy transition and that they are now judged on that.
The previous city council wanted to ensure that Leusden is energy neutral by 2040. To achieve this, Leusden would have to generate all the energy it consumes itself. That target was a lot more ambitious than the national one, to use only sustainable energy by 2050. “In addition, the council wanted all the energy to be generated on their own land,” explains Alexandra Kolkman of Lokaal Important. “That means that Leusden should get 33 windmills or 600 football fields full of solar panels.” And the residents of Leusden now seem to have voted against it.
Existing parties shocked
The sudden emergence of Local Important is a major shock to the incumbent parties. “They conducted a good campaign,” admits Patrick Kiel of the VVD. His party has halved in seats. “In terms of visibility, they have been very active, they have definitely outperformed all the other parties.” Yet he did not see the landslide within the city council coming. “We have done quite well in the coalition in the past four years, I think. But apparently there is still dissatisfaction with the VVD voter.”
GroenLinks-PvdA is also very surprised about the voters’ choice. “We have recently seen how dependent we are on a certain party in the east (Russia – ed.). Do you want that? Shouldn’t you speed up the energy transition?”, asks party leader Fenneke van der Vegte. off. “But the voter has spoken. It’s a bitter pill.”
Inexperienced advice
In addition, the sitting parties are concerned about the future of the city council, now that all of a sudden new council members are joining. “It will be an inexperienced council, with many inexperienced new councilors, including myself,” concludes Mark van der Kooi of the ChristenUnie-SGP. “All respect for Local It is important that they come in with such a large group, but it is also a very large group with completely new people, unfamiliar with politics,” explains Hilde van den Heuvel of Leusden Vooruit. “I’m curious how that will go.”
Nevertheless, Local Important has great confidence in the future. “You can learn council work. We have capable people from various fields,” says Kolkman. “And also one or two aldermen candidates.” Locally Important prefers to supply an alderman for sustainability in order to fulfill their election promise. “We are against solar fields, as long as the roofs are not yet full of solar panels. We need those fields for grain, cows and nature. Leusden wants to preserve the greenery for recreation.”
And there are more plans. “We are accused of being a one-issue party, but we also want to ensure that the local police officer returns and that he is visible,” explains Kolkman. “And we are going to commit ourselves to a healthy financial household. Increasing the property tax is the last thing you want.” Locally Important wants to provide a breath of fresh air in the Leusden council. “The established order may be afraid of that, but we are rolling up our sleeves.”
More election news and other information can be found in our UKiest file.