KIJK TERUG: Presentatie coalitieakkoord Den Haag

Overview

The video shows a press event in The Hague announcing the new 2026–2030 coalition agreement, following record-fast negotiations of about five weeks. The program covers how the agreement was formed, the main policy content presented by each party leader, the formal signing, and a media Q&A focused on finances, asylum housing, and safety.

Process and framing

• Robert Wester (municipal communications director) moderates the program and outlines the sequence:

  1. Explanation by the informateur
  2. Presentations by the four party leaders
  3. Group photo
  4. Formal signing
  5. Media questions

• Ahmed Abu Taleb (informateur) frames the coalition as a mindset of persistence—negotiators “push through where systems say no.”

  • He highlights a city commitment rooted in his personal connection since arriving in 1976.
  • He stresses that not everything critical will be captured in the agreement text; much of the real work will follow later.
  • He also thanks supporting negotiators and municipal bureaucracy for providing information, guidance, and logistical support.

Core coalition claims

• The coalition presents the agreement as a fresh start (“the book is closed”) after previous tensions, emphasizing:

  • governance and cooperation with the opposition
  • addressing long-standing city problems

• Despite describing the start as financially difficult, the parties say they managed not to raise property tax while still committing to major investments.

Main policy priorities and investments (high-level)

Across the speeches, the following themes recur:

1) Safety and enforcement

• 80 additional enforcement officers (BOAs) over four years.
• Stronger enforcement on issues such as waste and surveillance, with specific emphasis on women’s safety, including a women’s shelter/safety center (Philomena Center).
• Safety is also framed as part of livability and improved neighborhood management.

2) Housing and homelessness

• Major housing investment is repeatedly described as a top priority.
• Converting asylum shelter capacity into housing:
  • the agreement mentions turning a facility into senior housing
• A commitment to create 300 places for people experiencing homelessness.
• Plans to adjust social housing versus other affordable segments based on feasibility, while keeping the national subsidy-linked 30/40 split as a baseline for large-area developments.

3) Asylum reception and integration

The coalition highlights a shift away from large-scale accommodation in residential areas, including:

• Example: asylum housing at Sportlaan
  • reduced from 750 people needing care to zero at that location
  • residents relocated to smaller-scale reception elsewhere
• Denk (Noer Ikar) frames the “elephant in the room” as asylum, with a shared value of keeping the human being central, including asylum seekers, current residents, and status holders.
• The coalition says it will comply with the Dutch Distribution Act, but applies a “The Hague way”:
  • balancing solidarity for newcomers
  • while maintaining capacity and responsibility to protect neighborhoods
• Additional emphasis on language, work, and integration, including employment support (referenced by Noer Ikar with work-support figures).

4) Neighborhood quality, outdoor space, and social cohesion

• Extra funding for neglected public space and upkeep (“first 1,000 steps” near residents’ homes).

• Plans for redevelopments, including references such as:

  • Doubletstraat closure
  • redevelopment of Geleendstraat (also described as a long-held VVD wish)

• Strong focus on community-building alongside housing (CDA).

5) Mobility, traffic, and parking

• A parking action plan with €5 million for additional parking spaces.
• Freezing/adjusting parking fees and revising on-street parking rules.
• The coalition claims The Hague is no longer the “traffic jam capital,” aiming for better traffic flow.
• A major point is delaying the zero-emission zone for certain vehicles (linked to Euro classes) until 2035, rather than rolling it back immediately.

6) Entrepreneurs and culture

• Investments in shopping streets and named areas (e.g., Schilderswijk, Leuveweg/Leweg, Keizerstraat, Loosduinse Hoofdplein, “Chinatown”).
• Cultural funding is highlighted; one leader describes it as the largest culture investment in 25 years.
• Mentions securing financing for cultural institutions/projects as described in the speeches.

Financing: the €106 million question in Q&A

In media questions, the coalition confirms an investment total of €106 million, while asking how the remainder is funded beyond the mentioned €42 million.

The response emphasizes:

• No property tax increase
• Municipal organization reforms to become more efficient and “smarter,” including AI and support systems
• Policy and welfare/employment reforms intended to generate savings
• Central government contribution changes creating some “windfalls,” with the largest impact expected from major reforms

Another Q&A addresses expanding to 10 aldermen (up from fewer previously), described as necessary for coalition execution and ambition.

Asylum-reception relocation specifics (Q&A)

What happens to people affected at Sportlaan (440 people)

• The coalition says they will be housed elsewhere.
• The approach favors small-scale care in non-residential large-scale settings.

Distribution Act compliance

• The coalition argues that options exist beyond one location, including:
  • coordinating within the province
  • discussing with central government

A distinction is made between:

• not abandoning large-scale reception overnight
• transitioning toward smaller-scale reception over time

Zero-emission zone: why delay rather than rollback

When asked why the zero-emission zone was delayed instead of fully rolled back, coalition leaders present it as a negotiated compromise.

They argue:

• later restrictions toward stricter Euro standards will still create pressure
• feasibility limits exist, including power grid congestion, which restricts large-scale charging infrastructure

Outlook and logistics

• The parties say they aim to work with the opposition where possible and present the coalition period as cooperative governance.
• Candidate aldermen will be announced next Monday at 4:00 PM, with additional media introductions afterward.

Presenters or contributors (all mentioned)

• Robert Wester (Director of Communications, Municipality of The Hague)
• Ahmed Abu Taleb (informateur)
• Richard de Mos
• Johan Driesen
• Lotte van Basten Batburg
• Noer Ikar
• Kavi Spartman
• Likke Hebbrechtse
• Jorit van Stijn
• Ingrit van der Heide
• Helga Prins
• Wilmachoor
• Adil Mahmed (mentioned as negotiator)
• Hatim Belahen (mentioned as negotiator)
• Arn Dubbelaar (mentioned; chaired party group)
• Herman Roosenberg (The Hague Central; media questioner)
• Lot van Bree (Omroep West; media questioner)
• Terent (media questioner)
• “Omroepwest” (as a channel referenced for questions)
• Den Haag FM (as a channel referenced for questions)