Twenty-one local political parities are running for a seat in the Municipal Council in this year's municipal elections in The Hague. How will voters ever be able to choose? We asked each party to submit a short statement about their political agenda for the city if they would be elected. Here are their plans in five areas: Safety, Health Care & Education, Housing & Employment, Spatial Planning & Transportation, and Citizenship & Culture.
PvdA list 1
The PvdA wants The Hague to be clean and accessible, with a good flow of traffic between the city centre and Scheveningen, safe residential neighbourhoods by introducing 30-km zones. More green in the city and neighbourhoods, good public transport and fast and safe cycle routes. Energy and the environment are key priorities.
VVD list 2
The VVD will invest an additional € 278 million in roads and parking. It’s time to stop blaming cars for everything. Parking fees will be frozen. The car is not an endless source of money. In the future, parking fees will be completely invested in creating new parking spaces.
CDA list 3
The CDA wants to maintain the green character of the coast by combating unbridled construction plans. In order to improve accessibility and quality of life in the city, the CDA wants to create a tunnel from the outer ring road, additional parking and more public transport.
SP list 4
The SP is calling for the preservation, maintenance and expansion of green areas in the city. Master plans will be reconsidered on the basis of their value and necessity. Every resident will get a bus or tram stop within walking distance. Residents will get a parking permit for a token sum.
GroenLinks list 5
We want priority and safety for pedestrians, cyclists and more public transport. This is healthy and ensures a clean city with a good quality of life. It also contributes towards a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.
D66 list 6
D66 will invest in cycle paths, public transport and walking routes. We will solve dangerous situations around tramlines. We will also tackle bottlenecks on the roadways. This will help create better air quality, increased traffic safety and less noise pollution.
Islam Democraten list 7
Sufficient space must be reserved in zoning plans for religious organisations, including mosques. Paid parking must be introduced only if supported by local residents. Increase safety in buses and trams, bring conductors back on the tram.
Politieke Partij Scheveningen list 8
The PPS wants a system of flexible, dynamic traffic management. Traffic plans for the city should be better coordinated with each other. All neighbourhoods are to be green and clean. Children will have sufficient opportunity to play in a safe environment.
Haagse Stadspartij list 9
Protect green areas, no excessive construction in the Vlietzone and Kijkduin, and no external harbour for the Zuiderstrand beach. No busy ring road straight through residential neighbourhoods, construct a tunnel for the whole Noordwestelijke Hoofdroute and give priority to cyclists and public transport. (Air) quality should take precedence over growth.
Partij voor de Dieren list 10
Promote a reduction in commuter traffic, more environmentally-friendly transport and the construction of a good bicycle infrastructure. Free public transport. We oppose prestigious infrastructure projects which have an irreversible effect on nature and the landscape. A green living environment for people and animals!
Candidate list headed by Khoulani, A. list 11
Parking policy in consultation with residents and no arbitrary introduction of paid parking! Keep public space clean, where necessary through enforcement! Undo the traffic circulation plan and consider other alternatives to reduce traffic in the city centre. Free public transport!
ChristenUnie list 13
Stop paid parking. Start with a parking plan for the whole city and invest in more parking facilities and increased public support. The Hague should become bicycle-friendly: construct bicycle highways, well-maintained cycle paths and more bicycle parking facilities. Preserve the Zuiderstrand beach, we are against the cruise terminal.
Nederlandse Moslim Partij list 14
Working from home/teleworking must be further promoted and more flexible working hours introduced. Plus: stop hindering the introduction of clean cars, improve public transport and reduce the number of unnecessary kilometres driven.
Unie van Democraten (de Unie) list 15
Parking meters must disappear immediately. A special pass for all residents of The Hague enabling free public transport and free parking. A new realistic and integral traffic and transport plan is needed for better transport and traffic circulation.
Christelijk Sociaal Den Haag – SGP list 16
The quality of life in The Hague can be better! Good and well-maintained public areas with lots of green in all shapes and sizes. The Hague must be made more bicycle-friendly! Safer and with more cycle paths. No paid parking, unless local residents actually want it!
De Vrije Tegenpartij list 17
Increase accessibility, traffic safety and quality of life. Clean air and free public transport for everyone. Close the tram tunnel garage to create a through-route under the centre. Remove retractable barriers and speed bumps. Abolish paid parking in residential districts. Create a tunnel under the whole ring road. Underground waste containers.
Stop Wilders Nu list 18
The city must grow within its existing boundaries. This will enable us to preserve our cultural and historic landscape and greenery. Use what works: no filling up of the third harbour. We do support underground neighbourhood parking garages, improved traffic flow and free public transport.
De Liberale Partij list 19
During road works, traffic must be effectively re-routed. In the past, this has always been unsuccessful; there is no monitoring of the detours. The Hague should become a super city for tourists. Free transport on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
PVV list 20
The PVV wants to make parking permits free and reduce parking charges by a half. Additional focus on solutions to traffic bottlenecks, improved traffic flow, coordinated traffic lights. Higher speed limits where possible. No more megalomaniac construction projects.
Trots op Nederland Lijst Rita Verdonk list 21
The traffic circulation plan must be undone. Every resident of The Hague aged 65 and older must be able to use public transport free of charge during off-peak hours. The quiet Zuiderstrand beach should be left as it is!