Investigation into leak from committee appointing Amsterdam mayor

The Public Prosecutor is investigating who leaked information from the confidential committee responsible for nominating a new mayor for Amsterdam. This follows the Telegraaf writing about procedures the committee follows in finding a mayor for the Dutch capital, NOS reports.

Information about the appointment procedures for a new mayor is supposed to be strictly confidential. A person who leaks information from the confidential committee could face a hefty fine or community service, according to the broadcaster.

Johnas van Lammeren (PvdD), chairman of the confidential committee, reported the leak to the authorities. All 12 members of the committee have been questioned by the police, according to NOS. The case is now with the Public Prosecutor, who will decide what happens next. If the Prosecutor determines that a crime was committed, the Rijksrecherche - the department that handles investigations at government services - will conduct a follow-up investigation.

Jozias van Aartsen is currently acting as interim mayor of Amsterdam, following the death of Mayor Eberhard van der Laan. The process of appointing a new mayor has already taken some time. The vacancy was opened a second time after only 29 people applied in the first round. During the second round, 85 people applied.

Despite the strict confidentiality that surrounds the appointment of a new mayor, one of the applicants, Rob Oudkerk, published his application letter in Het Parool. According to him, going through this procedure in total confidentiality is no longer of this time. And by publishing his application letter, he wants to show how important transparency is for him.