Veendam welcomes new municipal council for 2026-2030 term
Veendam's newly elected municipal council has been sworn in, marking the start of a four-year term. These 20 councillors will shape local policies affecting residents' daily lives, from infrastructure to social services. Their first meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2026.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Veendam |
| Term | 2026-2030 |
| Number of Councillors | 20 (1 pending) |
| Installation Date | April 1, 2026 |
| First Meeting | May 18, 2026 |
| Parties Represented | GemeenteBelangen Veendam, GROENLINKS/PvdA, VVD, SP, D66, CDA, Veuruutkiek, ChristenUnie, Voorons Veendam |
| Mayor | Annelies Pleyte |
The municipal council of Veendam is the local governing body responsible for making decisions on policies, budgets, and services that directly impact residents. As elected representatives, councillors play a crucial role in shaping the community's future and addressing local challenges.
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New municipal council installed
The newly elected councillors for the 2026-2030 term were sworn in on Wednesday evening, April 1, 2026, during the municipal council meeting. The 20 councillors took their oath or affirmation.
The councillors are:
- GemeenteBelangen Veendam (GB): Henk-Jan Schmaal, Christel Knot, Ferdi Görgülü, Robert de Jonge, Job Westerhuis, Bert Huizenga
- GROENLINKS / Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA): Petra Stokker-Homan, Pieta Loots, Josh Tepper, Gerie Ebeltjes
- VVD: Aaldert Bunskoek, Gretha Heikens, Ina Meerloo-van Koldam
- SP (Socialistische Partij): Luuk Jonker, Linda van der Ende-Smit
- D66: Hanneke Schoenmaker-Tiems
- CDA: Ingrid Drent-Sinot
- Veuruutkiek (VUK): Hilly Venema-van der Woude
- ChristenUnie: Ammie van Eerden-van der Molen
- Voorons Veendam: Mark Kenters
Martine Zweerts de Jong of GemeenteBelangen Veendam was unable to attend and will be sworn in at a later date.
The first scheduled meeting of the new municipal council is on May 18, 2026.
Mayor Annelies Pleyte said during the installation: “Your decisions contribute to the well-being of the residents of Veendam. Some decisions may still have an impact on generations after us. This requires careful consideration and responsibility from you. Be clear and approachable. Stay connected, with each other and with the residents. Especially when it gets difficult. That is precisely when it matters. Ultimately, it is about this: that people feel seen and heard, and maintain trust in their representatives and in local government. I wish you a great deal of job satisfaction in the beautiful and honourable work ahead of you.”
You can also watch the meetings afterwards via
You may use the attached photos free of copyright restrictions, provided the photographer Huisman Media is credited.