Rotterdam, The Hague back forming metropolitan region

Rotterdam and The Hague back joining forces to form a new metropolitan region, the Telegraaf reports on Tuesday.

The two cities plan to draw up a plan before the start of next year, outlining how they can work together in terms of seven policy areas, including the economy, education and spacial planning.
And the cities’ mayors Ahmed Aboutaleb (Rotterdam) and Jozias van Aartsen (The Hague), hope the provincial government of Zuid Holland will also support the development, the paper says.
The metropolitan region would encompass 24 local councils, have a population of more than two million and generate 20% of gross national product.
Super province
The alliance between the port city and seat of government follows the cabinet’s insistence on forcing a merger between Noord-Holland, Utrecht and Flevoland provinces to form a giant urban authority.
Home affairs minister Piet Hein Donner has ordered the three provinces to come up with a merger plan before the end of the year.
Donner says the current situation has ‘braked the economic dynamics’ in the regions.
However, the plan is likely to generate serious resistance. A majority of MPs are opposed to the merger and local provincial leaders say they are unconvinced of the benefits.