The Hague Council grants Mayor van Zanen new six-year term after secret vote
The Hague City Council voted in a closed session Monday night to grant Mayor Jan van Zanen a second six-year term, extending his leadership beyond July 1 of next year, Omroep West reported. The decision followed months of confidential work by a seven-member vetting committee and came despite earlier public objections from Hart voor Den Haag, the council’s largest party. Van Zanen, 64, will now be formally recommended to the minister of the Interior, a step that is usually a formality.
Van Zanen said he was honored. “I will give it everything I have,” he said, adding that he hopes “to do the best for the people of The Hague, the entrepreneurs, the shopkeepers, the visitors, and especially the residents, and to make beautiful The Hague even more beautiful.”
He had previously said he wanted to continue, telling Den Haag FM in late 2023, “I feel at home here, even though I was not born and raised here,” and that he “enjoys The Hague” and is ready for another term.
Hart voor Den Haag questioned both the appointment process and Van Zanen’s performance. “We are vehemently opposed to the non-transparent procedure surrounding mayoral appointments. We support an elected mayor,” party leader Richard de Mos said. He added that the party filed two motions of no confidence against Van Zanen and has “many other objections.” The motions concerned the Extinction Rebellion blockade actions on the A12 and the mayor’s handling of the parking referendum. Neither motion passed.
Because Monday’s meeting was held behind closed doors, it is unknown how the party ultimately voted. The recommendation and vote count will remain a secret.
Van Zanen has served as mayor since July 1, 2020. His first term included the Tarwekamp explosion that killed six people, unrest in Scheveningen, and the NATO summit.
