The Ministry of the Interior remains committed to a more balanced distribution of men and women in mayoral positions.
Rotterdam is on the eve of a historic appointment. Carola Schouten, former Minister of Agriculture and Minister for Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions, has been nominated as the new mayor of Rotterdam. The municipal council sees her as the suitable successor to Ahmed Aboutaleb, who will resign from office on October 1 after more than fifteen years of service. With this nomination, Schouten would become the first female mayor of the port city.
unanimously
De local council has unanimously expressed its confidence in Schouten. Councilor Van der Velden of the Party for the Animals said that a search was underway for a mayor “who suits this city”. He emphasized the importance of a citizen father or mother who is approachable, stands among the people and is recognizable to the people of Rotterdam. Van der Velden described the ideal candidate as someone who is “open to everyone, dares to be vulnerable and dares to ask questions”. According to him, Schouten has these qualities. “She knows how to connect people by making sure everyone feels safe and heard, even in times of great tension,” he added.
Schouten's appointment is not yet final. After the recommendation of the municipal council, a thorough screening will take place. If this does not reveal anything unusual, the King and the Minister of the Interior will appoint her for a term of six years. If everything goes according to plan, Schouten will receive the Rotterdam office chain on October 10.
In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of female mayors in the Netherlands. Where this was once a predominantly male position, we are now seeing a shift where almost a third of mayors are women. This trend reflects a broader societal movement toward greater gender equality in leadership roles.
Carola Schouten, born in 's-Hertogenbosch on October 6, 1977, has had an impressive career. She was Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality between 2017 and 2022 and later Minister for Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions in the Rutte IV cabinet. She also served in both cabinets as deputy prime minister on behalf of the Christian Union. Schouten is also no stranger to Rotterdam; She grew up in Waardhuizen in Brabant, where her parents ran a dairy farm, and moved to Rotterdam at the age of 17 to study Business Administration at Erasmus University.
According to recent figures from the Ministry of the Interior, there are currently 118 female mayors out of a total of 355 municipalities in the Netherlands. This means that women now hold 33% of all mayoral positions. This is a significant increase compared to ten years ago, when this percentage was only around 20%.
Her appointment has not been without competition. In addition to Schouten, other prominent names were also mentioned, such as former Deputy Prime Minister Hugo de Jonge, who was already an education and healthcare councilor in Rotterdam between 2010 and 2017, and the current ombudsman of Rotterdam, Marianne van den Anker. Van den Anker previously served as alderman for Safety and Public Health for Livable Rotterdam. 26 people responded to this vacancy, after which an initial selection was made in an interview with the King's Commissioner. After this, the members of the confidential committee held two rounds of interviews with various candidates.
enthusiastic
With the announcement of Carola Schouten as the new mayor of Rotterdam, all tension also came to an end for TV and radio presenter Sander de Kramer. “And I am so happy: it has become Carola Schouten,” De Kramer wrote enthusiastically on social media. His joy and admiration for Schouten are clear. “I have known Carola for some time. And I admire her so much. When Carola was 22, she became pregnant unplanned. She was completely alone. She studied at Erasmus University. How on earth could she, as a single mother in a tiny student room, raise a child? Carola had no money, no house and no future.”
De Kramer, founder of the Sunday Foundation, explained how help for Schouten came from an unexpected source: the church in Delfshaven. “From the playpen and baby clothes to diapers and toys... the people from the neighborhood helped their dear friend. And for the shopping, Carola looked through the offers in the supermarket.” This sense of community and the support from Delfshaven formed the basis of Schouten's resilience and perseverance.
After her studies, Schouten rose to become Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands, despite her start as a single mother. Her career is an example of perseverance and dedication. She recently served as Minister of Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions, a position in which she worked tirelessly for the most vulnerable in society. “Carola proved that she has never forgotten where she came from. Her mission is to help people in poverty,” says De Kramer.
Schouten's appointment as mayor of Rotterdam comes at a time when the city, the poorest in the Netherlands, needs strong and empathetic leadership. “She is the right person at the right time,” says De Kramer. “Carola is committed, friendly and knowledgeable. She is averse to vanity and is always herself: a real Rotterdam native. A hard worker. And a connector.”
De Kramer also shared a personal moment of joy. “Last night Carola called me to tell me the great news. I jumped on my bike and we toasted the city's bright future with a glass of wine.” His words emphasize the personal bond he has with Schouten and his confidence in her ability to lead the city.
Ahmed Aboutaleb
The departure of Ahmed Aboutaleb, a beloved and respected figure in Rotterdam, marks the end of an era. Aboutaleb announced his departure during the New Year's reception in the Citizens' Hall of the city hall. He said that after intensive consultation with his family he had decided to resign from his position. “Every era has new accents and those accents sometimes require new carriers,” Aboutaleb explained.
The search for a new mayor started in March with the campaign 'World City is looking for World Mayor'. In this campaign, Rotterdam residents were given the opportunity to discuss Aboutaleb's succession, which contributed to the city's broad involvement in this important decision.
Schouten's personal background is also important for her future role as mayor. She is a single mother from the Rotterdam district of Delfshaven and has shown that she can work her way up to high political positions. Her farming origins and her studies at Erasmus University have shaped her into the person she is today.
The coming months will be crucial for Schouten. If the screenings are positive, she will be officially installed as mayor of Rotterdam on October 10. This begins a new chapter for both Schouten and the city of Rotterdam.
