The local council coalition in Bloemendaal, one of the Netherlands’ most prosperous places to live, has collapsed amid allegations of backbiting and intimidation.

The liberal democratic party D66 on Sunday pulled out of the three-party coalition, leaving the right-wing liberal VVD and left-wing greens GroenLinks in a minority position.

D66 decided to leave the coalition following acting mayor Aaltje Emmens’ resignation last week and the publication of her highly critical report on the way the council functioned. She was brought in to try to restore order after mayor Ruud Nederveen quit in January because of the problems.

D66 alderman Jur Botter told local broadcaster RTV Noord-Holland that councillors are impossible. ‘These people use their qualities to make other people’s lives a misery rather than to govern,’ Botter said.