On Thursday evening, the new burgermeester (mayor) of Maastricht was officially proposed. From 1 July this year, as things stand, Wim Hillenaar will take over from Annemarie Penn-te Strake. But who is this Maasbommel-born CDA member?

Wethouder Frans Bastiaens confessed directly in the council chamber yesterday evening: 'I must confess very honestly that I do not know this best man.' Nevertheless, Wim Hillenaar is no stranger to administration in the Netherlands. For example, Hillenaar previously held a mayoral position in the municipality of Cuijk (2012-2021) and was acting mayor in Land van Cuijk (2022-2023)

Hillenaar was also a consultant at the research firm Berenschot and a civil servant at the municipality of Rotterdam.

Now that the council has proposed Hillenaar, the minister van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties (Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations) will screen him, after which the CDA member will be presented to the Koning who will then appoint Hillenaar.

Read the original article in Dutch