This Wednesday, March 18, millions of Dutch citizens will head to the polls for local council elections. An event that often receives less attention than national contests, yet plays a crucial role in shaping governance close to home. Political scientist Prof. dr. Henk van der Kolk will discuss the role of municipalities in the Dutch democratic system and how they function as a layer of government. Additionally, he will address the importance of elections and the issues and challenges that municipalities face today.
The lecture ends at 13:45. It is not possible to leave the room earlier.
How do municipalities fit into the broader architecture of the Dutch state? What historical developments have shaped their position, and what responsibilities do they carry today? Professor Henk van der Kolk will explore the institutional role of municipalities within the Dutch system, tracing their evolution over time and highlighting their key functions in service delivery, regulation, and representation.
Next, he will discuss the political dimension, examining how local democracy operates on its own and in interaction with national politics, what makes local elections distinctive, and why they matter. Drawing on recent research among voters and local political parties, Prof. Van der Kolk will also address pressing challenges such as the increasing fragmentation of local politics, the rise of local parties, the effects of social unrest and waning confidence in politics, and the dynamics of “second-order elections.” Through this analysis, he will demonstrate how local governments both reflect and influence broader democratic trends.
About the speaker
Prof. dr. Henk van der Kolk is an associate professor at the University of Twente and a professor by special appointment of Electoral Politics at the University of Amsterdam, where he specializes in electoral systems and local elections.
Ticket reservation recommended
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SG & USE/ITEC registration
Please register for SG & USE/ITEC by scanning your student ID at the venue prior to the start of the program.
More information about SG & USE/ITEC can be found here.