On February 24, the Couvéehuis was buzzing with energy as around 90 international residents gathered for a truly special evening: the first English-language municipal election debate of this kind in The Hague. Organized by the Working Group Statenkwartier Internationals of the Stichting Wijkoverleg Statenkwartier, the event marked an important step in ensuring that the many international residents of our neighborhood are informed, engaged, and heard.
With nearly half of Statenkwartier’s residents coming from international backgrounds, facilitating an accessible debate in English was not just a symbolic gesture—it was a necessary and meaningful one.
An Entertaining and Engaging Moderator
From the very first moment, moderator Jörg Meier set the tone for the evening. With wit, warmth, and impeccable timing, he managed to turn what could have been a heavy political discussion into an engaging and genuinely enjoyable experience.
His humor put both the candidates and the audience at ease. He navigated serious topics with sharp insight while keeping the atmosphere light and constructive. The result? A debate that was informative, dynamic, and even fun.
Twelve Candidates, Real Issues, Real Dialogue
Twelve candidates for The Hague City Council took the stage:
- 50PLUS – Hanna Mitra Rambaran
- CDA – Jaap van der Valk
- CU/SGP – Johan Hofland
- D66 – Patrick Beekhuizen
- Drerrie vDH – Mohammed El Baroudi
- GL/PvdA – Maarten De Vuyst
- HSP – Kelly Musyoka
- HvDH – Coen Bom
- NSC – Thomas Karmarker
- PvdD – Robert Barker
- Volt – Mylène Tabernal
- VVD – Lotte van Basten Batenburg
Each candidate was given time to introduce themselves before diving into two focused debate rounds:
- Safety & Traffic
- Youth Inclusion
The discussions were substantive and concrete. Candidates addressed pressing local issues such as the rise in homelessness in the Scheveningse Bosjes, accessibility challenges following the Hubertustunnel closure and zero-emission zones, speeding and traffic enforcement concerns, affordable housing, access to sports and community spaces.
The audience was highly engaged throughout. Questions from residents added depth to the debate, ensuring that the conversation stayed grounded in real neighborhood concerns. The elevator pitches at the end gave each candidate a final, spirited opportunity to connect with voters.
Energy, Conversation, and Community
The positive energy in the room was unmistakable. From the moment guests walked in and were welcomed with coffee and tea, there was a sense of anticipation and openness.
After the formal program concluded, the evening transitioned into networking. Drinks were served, conversations continued, and candidates remained available to answer further questions. Residents took the opportunity to speak directly with politicians in a relaxed setting—an invaluable chance to exchange ideas beyond the stage.
Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and helped make this event such a success. Please let us know your thoughts about the event. (You can view the presentation here) We look forward to many more inspiring evenings like this!
Your Voice Matters
As the election approaches, keep an eye on your mailbox for your ballot around March 2, and remember to cast your vote on March 18. Every vote counts!
This event was organized by Jörgen Meier, Jolanda Letterie, and Ottilie Cools, with support from Bert Loohuis, Lisa Lindenskov, Shabnam Azizian, and Mandeep, on behalf of the Working Group Statenkwartier Internationals, an initiative of the Stichting Wijkoverleg Statenkwartier.
