Mediator recommends broad coalition with room for opposition
Cora-Yfke Sikkema has completed the information round following the water-authority elections. She has presented her advice for a new coalition.
Doing justice to the voters' choice
In her advice, the mediator states: "The coalition that should be explored first, in my view, consists of the three basic parties, supplemented by two parties that focus on nature in the broadest sense of the word. I therefore recommend that Water Natuurlijk, as the largest party in the Board of Directors, forms a coalition with the following parties: Water Natuurlijk, BBB, PvdA, Geborgd Natuur, and Student en Water."
This approach does justice to the voters' choice. Based on the discussions, the mediator concludes that the green vote has a majority in the Board of Directors and, at the same time, that the rise of BBB carries considerable weight. In her advice, the mediator takes account of the fact that the debate in the Board of Directors may become more intense without losing sight of the public interest. There should be more room for opposition than in the previous term of office.
Blue Environmental Vision and Water Management Programme remain leading principles
The information round has revealed that there is broad support for continuing to work on the ambitions set out in the previously adopted Blue Environment Vision and the programming of the Water Management Programme 2022-2027.
Continued
During the upcoming coalition formation, the focus will be on the content of the new board agreement and the formation of a new Executive Board. Sikkema also advises the parties involved in the coalition formation to consider how Noorderzijlvest wants to involve the community in decisions taken by the water authority. "After all, all five parties mentioned want more attention to be paid to participation, communication, and information. More specifically, they also want to focus on young people, who are the future," says Sikkema.