Over 200 aldermen resigned last year amid rising work pressure, political fragmentation

More than 200 aldermen resigned last year, falling short of the 2024 record of 225 departures. Notably, 55 of them left to take up other positions, a record high for job-related exits, according to Binnenlands Bestuur, which has monitored the data for many years.

Among the aldermen who moved on, 19 assumed other political positions, such as seats in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, while another 19 exited politics entirely. A total of 17 former aldermen went on to become mayors.

The study found that 67 aldermen fell due to political disputes. While some later returned, 39 left the executive for good, a record low, according to Binnenlands Bestuur.

The magazine links this trend to increasing political fragmentation, which makes it harder to form new majorities after a party exits a governing coalition, forcing councils to continue more often with minority administrations. In multiple municipalities, including Hoorn, Albrandswaard, and Castricum, authorities have deliberately chosen to continue without appointing a new alderman following a breach of trust, aiming to prevent further administrative gridlock.

Another study found that 16 percent of local aldermen, roughly 1 in 6, stepped down within a single year. The role is increasingly viewed as demanding, with rising work pressure and more frequent aggression and threats from the public. Insiders report that 60–70-hour workweeks are becoming standard for aldermen, even though their support teams have not expanded to match the increased workload.

In 2025, the national government pledged to provide additional long-term funding for training, support, and measures to make roles like aldermen and councilors more appealing, aiming to strengthen local governance and curb resignations.

Part of the challenge is that almost half of all local parties have difficulty finding qualified candidates, which adds pressure on the continuity and stability of local government.