Dutch King, PM visit terminally ill Amsterdam mayor
Terminally ill former Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan had visits from King Willem-Alexander, Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher last week, Het Parool reports. No details were revealed about these visits, because they were private visits, according to the newspaper.
Van der Laan stepped down as Mayor of Amsterdam nearly three weeks ago, after his doctors told him that they could do nothing more to treat his metastasized lung cancer. Since then, the Amsterdam mayor has been spending time with his family in his official residence on Herengracht. Deputy mayor Kasja Ollongren took over his duties.
According to Het Parool, Van der Laan and the King have a good relationship, dating from when Willem-Alexander took the throne in 2013. A week before Van der Laan stepped down, he and the King paid a working visit to the Jordaan. Photos of that visit show King Willem-Alexander supporting the weakened mayor.
Messages of support for Van der Laan can be sent to city hall, who will pass them on to the mayor.
Van der Laan's resignation was met with sadness and understanding. Shortly after he stepped down, thousands of people gathered in front of his home to give him a standing ovation and show him support.
