Hague mayor announces resignation

Jozias van Aartsen is stepping down as mayor of The Hague on March 1st, he said in a letter to the municipal council on Friday, the Telegraaf reports. Van Aartsen's term officially runs until December 2017. But he decided to step down early to give his successor more time in office in the run-up to the municipal elections in March 2018. "Although, in my heart, I'd like to serve The Hague as mayor until the end of my term, I believe that the interest of the city must come first. My successor should get ample time to get used to the work before the new council takes office", Van Aartsen wrote to the council. Van Aartsen took the office of mayor in March 2008. In October 2013 it was announced that he would serve a second term. He did not state his plans for after March 1st next year.