Netherlands

Anno Wietze Hiemstra is a Dutch politician and administrator currently serving as the Mayor of Aa en Hunze, a position he has held since September 2019 and for which he was reappointed in 2025. A member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), he previously served as a municipal councilor and alderman in Hoogeveen, where he was named Drenthe's Politician of the Year in 2013. He also served as the acting mayor of Appingedam from 2017 to 2019 and has acted as an informateur for coalition formations in the municipality of Eemsdelta.

Marco Out is a Dutch politician and administrator who has served as the Mayor of Assen since 2014. Previously, he held the position of Mayor of Borger-Odoorn and served as a member of the Provincial States of Groningen. Originally affiliated with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), he became an independent politician in 2018 due to ideological differences with the party's national direction. Beyond his political career, Out is active in public safety governance and serves as the chairman of the supervisory board for FC Groningen.

Jan Seton is a Dutch politician and jurist who has served as the Mayor of Borger-Odoorn since June 1, 2015. A member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), he previously held various political roles in Groningen, including serving as a municipal councilor, faction leader, and alderman with a portfolio covering public space and sustainability. Before his mayoral appointment, Seton worked as a legal policy officer and deputy director for regional organizations. He holds a law degree from the University of Groningen and is active in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.

Inge Nieuwenhuizen is a Dutch politician and administrator who has served as the Mayor of De Wolden since December 16, 2021. Before her current role, she held various positions in higher education management, including as director of the Nicis Academy and the Erasmus Academy. Her political career includes serving as an alderman in Voorschoten, IJsselstein, and Bodegraven-Reeuwijk between 2010 and 2021. She studied Modern Greek at the University of Groningen.

Eric van Oosterhout is a Dutch politician and administrator who has served as the Mayor of Emmen since March 15, 2017. A member of the Labour Party (PvdA), he previously held the position of Mayor of Aa en Hunze from 2007 to 2015. Before his mayoral career, he worked in education policy and municipal administration in Veendam. Van Oosterhout holds various board positions, including roles with the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and educational supervisory boards. He studied Dutch language and literature at the University of Groningen.

Martijn Breukelman is a Dutch politician currently serving as the Mayor of Hoogeveen, a position he assumed on April 3, 2024. Prior to his current role, he was a long-standing local politician in Hardenberg, where he served as a municipal councilor starting in 2010 and as an alderman from 2018 to 2024. Educated in public administration at the University of Twente and Tilburg University, Breukelman has extensive experience in local governance, including spatial development, housing, and finance. He is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA).

Arjen Maathuis is a Dutch politician and administrator currently serving as the Mayor of Meppel, a position he assumed on April 1, 2025. A member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), he previously held significant local government roles in Almelo, including serving as a municipal councilor and as an alderman responsible for portfolios such as finance, economic affairs, and tourism. Maathuis studied public administration and business administration at the University of Twente and began his career as a civil servant in the municipality of Berkelland.

Cees Bijl is a Dutch politician and administrator who has held several mayoral and provincial positions throughout his career. A member of the Labour Party (PvdA), he served as the mayor of Leeuwarderadeel, Meppel, and Emmen, and later as a deputy in the province of Drenthe. Known for his analytical and decisive leadership style, he was nominated as the Best Local Administrator of 2020. In 2021, he was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau for his extensive public service. He concluded his most recent term as the acting mayor of Meppel in April 2025.

Jan Zwiers is a Dutch politician and former professional football player who has served as the Mayor of Midden-Drenthe since September 2023. Before entering local government, he worked as an accountant and held various management roles in the housing and commercial sectors. His political career includes serving as an alderman in Coevorden and Hoogeveen, as well as holding leadership positions at FC Emmen. As mayor, his portfolio encompasses public order, safety, economic development, and tourism.

Klaas Smid is a Dutch politician and administrator currently serving as the Mayor of Noordenveld, a position he has held since November 2015. A member of the Labour Party (PvdA), he previously served as a municipal councilor and alderman in Hoogeveen, as well as an alderman in Ommen. His career includes experience in higher education administration and as a council clerk. Smid has also held various leadership roles in regional organizations, including the Association of Drenthe Municipalities. He is scheduled to step down from his mayoral office on November 1, 2026.

Marcel Thijsen is a Dutch administrator and politician who has served as the Mayor of Tynaarlo since December 16, 2014. Born in Wijchen in 1968, he studied at the Catholic University of Nijmegen. Before his mayoral appointment, Thijsen was active in local politics in Wijchen for two decades, serving as a council member and alderman. He was initially affiliated with the Labour Party (PvdA) and later became one of the founders of the local party Kernachtig Wijchen in 2009. He also held a position in the management team of the Ds. Pierson College during his time as a council member.

Jouke Spoelstra is a Dutch politician and administrator who has served as the Mayor of Westerveld since May 15, 2024. A member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), he previously served as a municipal councilor and alderman in Achtkarspelen, where he held portfolios including economic affairs, finance, and tourism. Spoelstra studied Financial Service Management at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen and has held various board positions, including roles within the CDA in Friesland. He is also a member of the supervisory board of Wonen Noordwest Friesland.

Agnes Mulder is a Dutch politician currently serving as the King's Commissioner of Drenthe, a position she assumed in January 2026. Prior to this appointment, she had a significant career in national politics, serving as a member of the House of Representatives from 2012 to 2023. Her political career began at the local and regional levels, including service in the municipal council of Assen and the States Provincial of Drenthe. She is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and is affiliated with the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.

Henk Jumelet is a Dutch politician who has served as a member of the House of Representatives for the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) since 2025. Prior to his national parliamentary career, he was active in regional politics in the province of Drenthe, where he served as a deputy (gedeputeerde). Jumelet, who was born in 1962, is married and has been noted for his public reflections on personal loss during his transition to national office. He continues to represent the interests of his constituents in the Dutch parliament.

Hein van der Loo is a Dutch administrator and politician currently serving as the Mayor of Almere, a position he has held since March 2023. Previously, he served as the Mayor of Zwijndrecht from 2019 to 2023. Before entering public office, he had a career spanning over two decades in the financial sector, holding leadership roles at Rabobank and ABN AMRO. He holds a degree in public administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam. Since September 2024, he has also served as the chairman of the Veiligheidsberaad. Van der Loo is politically independent.

Annette Raijer is a Dutch politician currently serving as a member of the House of Representatives. She was elected to the national parliament following the 2025 Dutch general election, where she appeared on the candidate list for the Party for Freedom (PVV). Prior to her national legislative career, she served as a council member in the municipality of Almere. Her political work focuses on representing the interests of her constituents in Flevoland at the national level.

Jean Paul Gebben is a Dutch politician and administrator who has served as the Mayor of Dronten since June 2019. A member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), he previously held mayoral positions in Renkum and Losser. Gebben began his political career as a municipal councilor in Zwolle and served as an alderman in Raalte. He holds a degree in public administration from the University of Twente and has extensive experience in economic affairs and municipal management. Throughout his career, he has held various board positions, including roles with the Royal Association of Orange Societies.

Mieke Baltus is a Dutch politician and administrator currently serving as the Mayor of Lelystad, a position she has held since June 2021. A member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), she previously served as the mayor of Uitgeest and Heemskerk. Her earlier career includes roles as a municipal councilor and alderman in Heemskerk, as well as working as a policy officer for the CDA parliamentary group in the House of Representatives. Baltus studied political science at the University of Amsterdam.

Tjeerd van der Zwan is a Dutch politician and administrator currently serving as an alderman in Lelystad since March 2026. A member of the Labour Party (PvdA), he has held numerous public offices throughout his career, including serving as the mayor of Achtkarspelen, Heerenveen, and acting mayor of Ommen. Before his tenure in municipal government, he worked as a teacher and staff member for anti-racism organizations. In 2023, he was named an honorary citizen of Heerenveen for his long-standing service to the municipality.