Amsterdam’s mayor said on Friday he would like to be appointed for a second term in the post.

Eberhard van der Laan told the council he wants to be of service to ‘this beautiful city and its fantastic people’ for a while longer.

However, he does want to bring some balance into his life, the NRC reports. ‘I will try to divide my time differently so that this job remains a privilege and draws less heavily on my private life,’ he said.

The 60-year-old Van der Laan, a member of the Labour party, has a wife and three young daughters.

A survey this summer showed that three-quarters of Amsterdammers want him to stay as mayor.

The decision will be made by the council, but the left-wing Liberal D66, with 14 of the 45 seats the biggest party, has already given its agreement.