The commissioner of the King, Wouter Kolff, has sworn in Erik van Heijningen as acting mayor of the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn. He has been appointed as of October 13, 2025.
Following the departure of mayor Liesbeth Spies, Mr. Peter Rehwinkel has been the acting mayor since January 20, 2025. He is available until the fall of 2025, when the new crown-appointed mayor is expected to start. Due to delays in the procedure for a new crown-appointed mayor, it is expected to take at least a year longer than anticipated before the crown-appointed mayor can begin, and the arrival of a new acting mayor is on the agenda.
The commissioner of the King will discuss with the municipal council after the 2026 municipal elections to explore if and when the procedure for a crown-appointed mayor can be initiated. Erik van Heijningen will remain in his position until the crown-appointed mayor takes office.
Background of Van Heijningen
Erik van Heijningen has extensive administrative experience. Until September 11, 2025, he was the acting mayor of Hoeksche Waard. Prior to that, he was also the acting mayor in Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Hellevoetsluis, Middelburg, and Cromstrijen. From 2014 to 2021, he was a state advisor at the administrative law department of the Council of State. Before that, from 2003 to 2011, he was a provincial executive in the province of South Holland. He was a councilor in Dordrecht from 1998 to 2003. Prior to that, he was a city councilor for the VVD in Dordrecht and Spijkenisse for 12 years and a public prosecutor in Rotterdam for 5 years.
