Groningen and Friesland vote: a guide for internationals in Westerkwartier - The Northern Times
NorthenTimes
logo The Northern Times
  • News
    • All
    • Crime
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Tech
    • Ukraine

    University of Groningen in the top 100 in the world, second best in the Netherlands

    Rain clouds on the horizon: relief for dry spell this week

    Rain clouds on the horizon: relief for dry spell this week

    egg carton packaging egg box

    Massive fire wipes out the only egg packaging warehouse in the country

    gavel_court

    American who stabbed Groningen police officers sentenced to 7 years

    Dozens of herons die at nesting site in Leeuwarden

    Drought impacting drinking water extraction in Groningen

    Drought impacting drinking water extraction in Groningen

    Blistering temperatures across the northern provinces this week

    Blistering temperatures across the northern provinces this week

    Friesland increases current sustainability subsidies

    Student takes municipality to court over energy allowance – and wins

    University Medical Center Groningen

    Research shows even those vaccinated against COVID-19 can experience lingering symptoms

    Trending Tags

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Food & Drinks
      • Nightlife
      • Shopping
      • What's happening
      Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

      Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

      “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

      “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

      Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

      Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

      Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

      Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

      Drenthe FestiValderAa to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style

      Drenthe FestiValderAa to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style

      Food festivals set to return to Emmen

      Food festivals set to return to Emmen

      Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

      Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

      Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

      Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

      Trending Tags

      • Culture
        • All
        • Dutch history
        • Typical Dutch
        “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

        “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

        Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

        Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

        Drenthe FestiValderAa to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style

        Drenthe FestiValderAa to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style

        This week in Arcadia: ballerinas and gardening workshops

        This week in Arcadia: ballerinas and gardening workshops

        De Wolden named cultural municipality of Drenthe in 2023-2024

        De Wolden named cultural municipality of Drenthe in 2023-2024

        Arcadia launches performing arts festival

        Arcadia launches performing arts festival

        Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

        Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

        Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

        Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

        North NL theaters struggle to find a way to attract audience

        Trending Tags

        • People
          • All
          • Expats
          • International students
          Students refurbish bicycles for Ukrainian refugees in Assen

          Students refurbish bicycles for Ukrainian refugees in Assen

          Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

          Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

          What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

          What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

          Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

          New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

          ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

          ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

          ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

          ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

          A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

          ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

          From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

          From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

          First students snap up alternate study spots in Oosterpoort

          Dutch student grades rise during pandemic whilst mental health suffers

          Trending Tags

          • Opportunities
            • All
            • business
            • Education
            Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

            Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

            Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

            Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

            Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

            Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

            Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

            Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

            Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

            How to enter academia in the Netherlands

            How to enter academia in the Netherlands

            3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

            3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

            Trending Tags

            • Submit A Tip/Article
            No Result
            View All Result
            The Northern Times
            • News
              • All
              • Crime
              • Economics
              • Education
              • Health
              • Politics
              • Sports
              • Tech
              • Ukraine

              University of Groningen in the top 100 in the world, second best in the Netherlands

              Rain clouds on the horizon: relief for dry spell this week

              Rain clouds on the horizon: relief for dry spell this week

              egg carton packaging egg box

              Massive fire wipes out the only egg packaging warehouse in the country

              gavel_court

              American who stabbed Groningen police officers sentenced to 7 years

              Dozens of herons die at nesting site in Leeuwarden

              Drought impacting drinking water extraction in Groningen

              Drought impacting drinking water extraction in Groningen

              Blistering temperatures across the northern provinces this week

              Blistering temperatures across the northern provinces this week

              Friesland increases current sustainability subsidies

              Student takes municipality to court over energy allowance – and wins

              University Medical Center Groningen

              Research shows even those vaccinated against COVID-19 can experience lingering symptoms

              Trending Tags

              • Lifestyle
                • All
                • Food & Drinks
                • Nightlife
                • Shopping
                • What's happening
                Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

                Buses will no longer travel through the Grote Markt in Groningen

                “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

                Plans for extensive Kardinge residential expansion revealed

                Drenthe FestiValderAa to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style

                Drenthe FestiValderAa to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style

                Food festivals set to return to Emmen

                Food festivals set to return to Emmen

                Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

                Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

                Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                Trending Tags

                • Culture
                  • All
                  • Dutch history
                  • Typical Dutch
                  “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                  “Tall Ships” Race coming to Friesland this week

                  Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                  Noorderzon festival returning to Groningen in August

                  Drenthe FestiValderAa to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style

                  Drenthe FestiValderAa to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style

                  This week in Arcadia: ballerinas and gardening workshops

                  This week in Arcadia: ballerinas and gardening workshops

                  De Wolden named cultural municipality of Drenthe in 2023-2024

                  De Wolden named cultural municipality of Drenthe in 2023-2024

                  Arcadia launches performing arts festival

                  Arcadia launches performing arts festival

                  Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

                  Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

                  Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                  Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                  North NL theaters struggle to find a way to attract audience

                  Trending Tags

                  • People
                    • All
                    • Expats
                    • International students
                    Students refurbish bicycles for Ukrainian refugees in Assen

                    Students refurbish bicycles for Ukrainian refugees in Assen

                    Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                    Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                    What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                    What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                    Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

                    New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

                    ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                    ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                    ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                    ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                    A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

                    ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

                    From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

                    From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

                    First students snap up alternate study spots in Oosterpoort

                    Dutch student grades rise during pandemic whilst mental health suffers

                    Trending Tags

                    • Opportunities
                      • All
                      • business
                      • Education
                      Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

                      Talk on International Growth by local founders to take place on the 21st of June

                      Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

                      Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                      Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

                      Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

                      Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

                      Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

                      Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

                      How to enter academia in the Netherlands

                      How to enter academia in the Netherlands

                      3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

                      3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

                      Trending Tags

                      • Submit A Tip/Article
                      The Northern Times
                      logo The Northern Times
                      Home News Politics
                      Groningen and Friesland vote: a guide for internationals in Westerkwartier

                      Groningen and Friesland vote: a guide for internationals in Westerkwartier

                      The Northern Times by The Northern Times
                      November 14, 2018
                      in Politics
                      0
                      Share on TwitterShare on FacebookWhatsapp

                      While the majority of the Netherlands held municipal elections back in March, due to redistricting, four newly formed municipalities across the north will be voting on the 21st of November: the city of Groningen, Noardeast-Fryslân, Het Hogeland and Westerkwartier. The Northern Times will be digging into the issues that matter in each of the municipalities in the lead up to the elections.

                      By Traci White and Thomas Ansell

                      Why are Groningen and Friesland doing their own thing? Because more and more small and financially vulnerable municipalities are joining forces and redrawing their borders. The new municipalities will formally come into existence in 2019. Due to redistricting, the borders of four Groningen municipalities in the south western portion of the province are becoming one: Westerkwartier. Grootegast, Marum, Leek and Zuidhorn are merging into a single municipality.  Leek is the biggest of the four with nearly 20,000 inhabitants, but all four have fairly sizable populations. Westerkwartier will have more than 62,000 residents altogether.

                      Who can vote?

                      Unlike the Dutch national elections, municipal elections in the Netherlands are open to anyone registered in the Municipal Database (BRP). All EU citizens can vote in the election, whilst non-EU citizens who have lived in the Netherlands for five years can also vote. In Grootegast, Marum, Leek and Zuidhorn,there are 1,804 EU citizens eligible to vote.

                      What are the issues?

                      Like Groningen, Het Hogeland and Noardeast-Fryslân, the Westerkwartier is also voting on whether or not shops can set their own hours on Sunday and going gas-free on new construction projects. The parties are taking stances on infrastructure, energy, school resources, recreational space, agriculture, welfare, tourism, rental properties and the presence of town halls in each developed core area.

                      How do I know which party stands for what I do?

                      Our handy guide below sets out general policy points for each party, and there is a link to both their website and (if possible) manifesto. There are also two websites (unfortunately only in Dutch) that allow you to select how important several issues are to you, and then where you sit in relation to the parties’ views. StemWijzer and Kieswijzer can be used to decide which parties are likely to represent your views.

                      Who’s running?

                      • CDA Westerkwartier (Christian Democratic Appeal) – A national party that tends to sit to the right of centre, the CDA’s programme in the Westerkwartier is focused on solidarity, shared responsibility, justice and environmental stewardship. However, the party is one of the only two (along with VZWesterkwartier) that does not want to ban natural gas connections to newly built homes, and the CDA (and VVD, D66 and ChristenUnie) are opposed to providing aid for people earning up to 130 percent above minimum wage. Their full manifesto is available here (in Dutch).
                      • PvdA Westerkwartier (Labour Party) – The party of the late famous Dutch PM Wim Kok, the Labour Party has fallen somewhat in national significance, but the party is standing in Westerkwartier on social cohesion and sustainability. Like most parties, they are in favour of shops setting their own Sunday hours, as well as improving infrastructure and limiting industrial agriculture. To read the full manifesto, please see here (in Dutch).
                      • ChristenUnie (The Christian Union)- Socially to the right of centre, but progressive when concerning the environment and economy, ChristenUnie’s programme in Westerkwartier includes, keeping shops closed on Sunday, not standing in the way of building The download link in Dutch) for their manifesto is right here.
                      • D66 Westerkwartier (Democrats 66) – Part of the current coalition government in the Netherlands, D66 is a liberal party, and in Westerkwartier, D66’s programme includes providing transportation for students whose schools close due to low enrolment. The party is the only one opposed to adding a new road connection between Leek and Zuidhorn, and is not in favour of making more funding available for boosting tourism. The full manifesto can be found here (in Dutch).
                      • GroenLinks Westerkwartier (GreenLeft) – The national party that combines green and social-democratic policies, GroenLinks is standing in Westerkwartier on a platform of ensuring each village has its own town hall building, providing aid for people earning up to 130 percent above minimum wage and limiting industrial farming. Their full manifesto can be read here (in Dutch).
                      • VVD Westerkwartier (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) – The party of prime minister Mark Rutte, the local version of the party is the only one in the Westerkwartier fully opposed to building wind turbines at Middag-Humsterland. The party is also open to increasing industrial farming in the region and in favour of all efforts to expand roadway infrastructure. You can check out their full programme (in Dutch) here.
                      • Sterk Westerkwartier – This locally-focused party’s main themes are health care and housings, sustainability, a strong economy and social cohesion. Sterk is the only one in favour of expanding the A7 between Heerenveen and Groningen from a four lane road and six lane road.You can read more about their main points
                      • VZ Westerkwartier – This party was founded in 1999 in response to the long ruling bloc of the PvdA and CDA and used to be known as VZ2000 and was only active in Grootegast. The “VZ” stands for “safety” and “care”. Along with CDA, they are the only party that wants new build homes to have the option to connect to the gas grid, but they do not want to block the wind turbines.More details on their stances are here (in Dutch).
                      • 50PLUS – This is a national party that is primarily focused on issues impacting people over the age of 50. The party’s stances in Westerkwartier are lowering municipal levies for people with limited income, maintaining community centres, more job opportunities for older populations, affordable housing that is accessible for all ages, and more neighbourhood police officers.

                       

                      Tags: CDAchristenunieD66electionsGroenLinksGrootegastLabour PartyLeekMarummunicipalitySterk WesterkwartiervotingVVDVZWesterkwartierWesterkwartierZuidhorn
                      Previous Post

                      What will the A7 blockade appeal cost? Far less than crowdfunding has raised

                      Next Post

                      Streets and landmarks in Leeuwarden to be renamed after WWII resistance members

                      The Northern Times

                      The Northern Times

                      Related Posts

                      Drenthe farmers remain hopeful for Ukrainian grain imports

                      Drenthe farmers remain hopeful for Ukrainian grain imports

                      July 25, 2022
                      Week one of Groningen gas extraction hearings end, will resume after summer holidays

                      Week one of Groningen gas extraction hearings end, will resume after summer holidays

                      July 5, 2022
                      Farmers protest reaches Drenthe and Groningen, moving north

                      Farmers protest reaches Drenthe and Groningen, moving north

                      June 27, 2022
                      More women than ever elected in Northern city councils, but equality still a work-in-progress

                      More women than ever elected in Northern city councils, but equality still a work-in-progress

                      March 23, 2022
                      Editorial:  International students can change the outcome of the municipality election!

                      Editorial: International students can change the outcome of the municipality election!

                      March 15, 2022
                      Municipal elections 2022: focus on Friesland

                      Municipal Elections 2022: Focus on Drenthe

                      March 9, 2022
                      Next Post
                      Vrijheidswijk

                      Streets and landmarks in Leeuwarden to be renamed after WWII resistance members

                      suiker_containers

                      Pile driving at Suikerlaan exposes students to 86 decibels

                      Discussion about this post

                      Most popular this week

                      • University of Groningen in the top 100 in the world, second best in the Netherlands

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • American who stabbed Groningen police officers sentenced to 7 years

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Drought impacting drinking water extraction in Groningen

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Massive fire wipes out the only egg packaging warehouse in the country

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Student takes municipality to court over energy allowance – and wins

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      The Northern Times

                      The Northern Times

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

                      Powered by:

                      Akkoord van Groningen, Gemeente Groningen, Koninklijke Metaalunie & FME, University of Groningen, Hanzehogeschool Groningen, Samenwerking Noord, Campus Groningen, and DUO/NEC NL (Nationaal Europass Centrum Nederland). 

                      Privacy statement and disclaimer 

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

                      Newsletter

                      Once or twice a week, we send out a digital newsletter to our subscribers. We will not and cannot share email addresses or any other personal data provided by our subscribers with any third parties, nor will we use this information for any purposes other than providing the newsletter. 

                      Questions or comments?

                      If you have any questions concerning your privacy or comments about ways that you think we could further protect and inform you about your privacy, please let us know by contacting us at info@tammeling.nl

                      Disclaimer

                      The Northern Times reserves the right to change its privacy policy, but will inform our subscribers and readers in advance prior to implementing any such changes. These changes will be published in a timely manner on The Northern Times’ website.

                      Tags

                      Arriva (50) Art (62) Assen (183) Climate Change (49) Coronavirus (500) coronavirus regulations (49) COVID-19 (333) COVID 19 (59) culture (46) Drachten (47) Drenthe (881) earthquakes (53) Eelde (45) Emmen (157) festival (45) football (62) Friesland (948) Groningen (1887) Groningen Airport Eelde (53) Groninger Museum (48) Grote Markt (42) Hanzehogeschool (53) Heerenveen (41) Hoogeveen (49) housing (112) international students (55) jobs (63) Leeuwarden (410) Make it in the North (55) Mark Rutte (44) music (41) natural gas (57) Netherlands (67) NHL Stenden (52) NS (43) police (67) protest (56) RUG (146) Sneek (43) students (93) train (63) UMCG (109) University of Groningen (200) Wadden Sea (42) what's on (67)
                      • News
                      • Lifestyle
                      • Culture
                      • People
                      • Opportunities
                      • Submit A Tip/Article

                      © Copyrights The Northern Times 2018

                      No Result
                      View All Result
                      • Culture
                        • Dutch history
                        • Typical Dutch
                      • Lifestyle
                        • Food & Drinks
                        • Nightlife
                        • Shopping
                        • What’s happening
                      • News
                        • Economics
                        • Politics
                        • Sports
                        • Tech
                      • People
                        • Expats
                        • International students
                      • Opportunities
                        • business
                        • Education
                      • Bloom: Subscribe