Change starts in our neighbourhood, in our city. Change starts with us. 

The Netherlands is becoming increasingly unfair. We are one of the richest countries in the world, Leidschendam-Voorburg is an incredibly well-off city. And yet there are families that cannot get by. One in ten children is raised in poverty. Affordable housing is a rare find. And even here, the effects of climate change are already visible. 

The problems we are facing are clear, but so are the solutions. We all know what needs to be done.

We have to strive towards a political climate that puts people and the planet first. GroenLinks aims to lower rental prices and wants to bring a housing obligation into effect; houses are meant to be lived in, they are not meant to generate profit for the happy few. We designate more space to greenery, cyclists and pedestrians; creating a pleasant environment to live in. We make sure that everyone is taken care of, and no one is left behind. We invest in people.

Our principles in practice

We have principles and ideas, and we have translated these into a number of practical policy proposals that fit the transition we want for Leidschendam-Voorburg.

Social & equal opportunities

  1. We want to facilitate extended and easier access to social welfare measures. We will actively communicate eligibility for support to those that are entitled to receive support.
  2. We trust those that seek support to be sincere. We want to move away from the culture that treats every applicant as a potential fraud, and shift our efforts to actually delivering support.
  3. We want to start experimenting with free child care. This benefits both the social development of children and can give parents more flexibility to arrange their work.
  4. Support people and businesses with programmes that help people gain work experiences, and help people with disabilities, minimal education, as well as both older and young workers to gain employment.

Energy

  1. We expand subsidies for the energy transition, whether it is the installation of solar panels or add/expand insulation. We facilitate this for individual households as well as co-operations.
  2. Leidschendam-Voorburg will do its part to implement similar measures to all municipal buildings and the public space.

Nature & public space

  1. Better monitoring of air quality. When the 2021 WHO-norms are transgressed we will take appropriate measures to improve air quality.
  2. We will implement a programme to tackle litter. We want to intensify garbage collection where needed.
  3. We will plant more trees as a municipality, including ‘tiny forests’, and we encourage people to plant trees and other greenery in their neighbourhoods and their own backyard.
  4. New building projects should include a minimal amount of ‘green’ as well as other climate adaptive measures.

Mobility

  1. More room for free-parking bikes. 
  2. More and safer biking lanes.
  3. Improve accessibility to public transport for the disabled.
  4. Improved access to public support by intensifying certain public transport routes.

Housing

  1. More housing, and more lower income housing. We strive to have 5.000 new houses to be realized. Every real estate or housing project should include a minimum 30% social housing.
  2. When you buy a house, you should be the one living there. Houses are to be lived in, not an investment.
  3. Maximize annual rent increase in the market sector.
  4. Leidschendam-Voorburg should play its part in offering housing to ‘statushouders’, people that have the right to live here.

Care

  1. We invest in youth welfare programmes.
  2. We support initiatives that combat loneliness, especially amongst the elderly.
  3. We want to actively communicate eligibility for support to those that are entitled to receive support.

Inclusiveness

  1. We want to support volunteer-work by discussing opportunities with local associations, clubs and initiatives.
  2. We cherish our local cultural institutions, from the public library to supporting new artists.
  3. Inclusivity will be woven into the fabric of all municipal policy.
  4. We want to explore initiatives to include citizens when developing policies, and we will promote means to make yourself heard for all citizens.

How can I vote?

At least 14 days before the election
All eligible voters automatically receive a personal voting pass (stempas) at their home address. Take this pass and a valid proof of ID to any polling station in your municipality to vote.

Your voting pass and ID will allow you to vote at any polling station in your municipality on the day(s) of the election. Your pass proves to the polling station that you have not yet voted at any other polling station, as it has authenticity features and a unique number. A passport counts as valid proof of ID.

At least 4 days before the election
You will receive the list of candidates, including the addresses of the polling stations.

Am I eligible to vote?

Citizens of the European Union (EU) member states who are 18 years old or over can vote in municipal council and European Parliament elections immediately upon moving to the Netherlands.

Non-Dutch, non-EU nationals who are 18 years old or over and who have been living continuously in the Netherlands for at least 5 years (with a residence permit), are also allowed to vote in municipal elections.

You have the right to vote in the municipality you are registered with, so long as you are registered with the municipality by January 31, 2022.

Voting is spread out over several days due to the ongoing public health crisis. This means you can go to the physical polling stations during one of those days. More details about your local voting stations can be found at your city's website.

More information

On voting

Are you looking for more information about voting in municipal elections? Check the website of the government of the Netherlands.

On our vision

Our full programme is only available in Dutch, but feel free to get in touch through Facebook or e-mail (groenlinksldamvburg@gmail.com), or simply come up and say hi to any of us out there campaigning. We will do our best to answer all your questions!