The court case against former Groningen mayor Koen Schuiling stalled on Wednesday after a judge ruled the case had been brought in front of the wrong court. Now journalists have also revealed that Schuiling has been economical with the truth surrounding his unexpected resignation.
Mayor Schuiling (VVD) resigned in September 2024, citing a lack of energy. It later emerged he was also fined by the police, which he then said was a contributing factor to his resignation. He was meant to appear in court in Zwolle as Schuiling attempted to dismiss a case against him concerning a fine for allegedly masturbating in public. Schuiling described the incident as a “false accusation”.
It appears that Schuiling has once again been economical with the truth as Dagblad van het Noorden reported that Interior Minister Judith Uitermark (NSC) asked Schuiling to resign or else face a suspension after several police reports had been filed about Schuiling’s behaviour. Details of the incidents have not yet publicly emerged.
Schuiling’s day in court
The court case in Zwolle was meant to delve into Schuiling’s fine of March 2024. Schuiling had long been waiting to clear his name, however as soon as the judge was about to hear the case, Schuiling’s lawyers requested the case to be held behind closed doors. While his request was denied, the judge noted that the case should have been heard in the North Netherlands court district rather than in Zwolle. This is because the alleged incident took place in Groningen. Thus the case was put off. Prosecutors said they would resubmit the case in the proper district as soon as possible.
Schuiling’s lawyer told RTV Noord that he would have preferred a verdict. The lawyer declined to comment further on the specifics of the case.
‘Resign or you’ll be suspended’
While in his September statement, Schuiling said he was resigning due to a lack of energy and since he felt he could not serve residents in the way he had hoped for, it has now emerged that the embattled politician was facing an ultimatum.
On Wednesday, Dagblad van het Noorden revealed that Interior Minister Judith Uitermark (NSC) had forced Koen Schuiling to step down as mayor of Groningen. If he failed to do so, the minister said she would suspend him herself.
During this period of discussions, the mayor was also banned from participating in the Security Council and other bodies.
