Hilhorst says goodbye to A'dam council

PvdA alderman, Pieter Hilhorst, leaves the Amsterdam City council with mixed emotions. Hilhorst is mainly disappointed in himself. Hilhorst feels he was too defensive in his approach, but had too little time in the council to apply what he had learned.

The former alderman made the switch from journalism to politics to improve the chances in life for children, such as the ones his son goes to school with. Hilhorst is proud of the decrease in the number of weak schools and school dropouts. The low turnout of immigrant Amsterdam residents to cast their vote during the recent elections is another disappointment to Hilhorst. "It's up to the city council to connect the citizens with local politics," said the former alderman.