Groningen Mayor Koen Schuiling (VVD) resigned citing a lack of energy and that he felt he could not serve residents in the way he had hoped for.
In a statement, the Municipality of Groningen said Schuiling announced his resignation on Wednesday. Schuiling started thinking about stepping down during the summer recess and now concluded he no longer had the energy to continue serving in this role. His last day as Mayor will be October 23rd.
Schuiling highlighted the situation in the Ter Apel migrant reception centre and the gas extraction situation as issues that required an extraordinary amount of energy. He also said social unrest is on the rise.
“Reflecting on the past years, I must conclude that I no longer have the necessary energy to work on these tasks with full dedication. I cannot be the mayor for the people of Groningen that Groningen deserves and needs,” Schuiling said.
He described Groningen as a city with major challenges that demand full attention.
Schuiling became Groningen’s mayor in 2019, breaking a hegemony of almost 70 years of PvdA mayors in the municipality of Groningen. His term was set to expire next year. The municipality will now seek a temporary successor.
You can read his resignation letter in full here.
