Local officials in Limburg have issued a stark appeal for respect after a surge in threats and intimidation, taking out a full-page advert in the Limburger newspaper to underline their concerns.

“Stop. Limburg draws a line,” the message reads. “Shouting, insulting, intimidating, threatening? We’ve had enough.”

The advert, signed by more than 900 mayors, aldermen and other officials, warns that abuse is making it harder for them to do their jobs, stating that “democracy cannot function without people who weigh up interests, hold difficult debates and then take decisions together”.

King’s commissioner Emile Roemer, one of the signatories, told NOS that officials “are increasingly unable to do our jobs freely”.

The appeal follows threats against Venlo mayor Antoin Scholten and several councillors, who are now under protection because of unrest surrounding plans for  a new refugee centre.

Their situation is not unique. Councillors in other areas have also faced intimidation over plans for asylum centres. In Terneuzen, the mayor stepped down on Monday, saying councillors had voted against a centre after being put under pressure.

Roemer said it was “beyond shameful” that local politicians require security and criticised national politicians for inflaming tensions at a time when councils need help to implement legislation to spread refugees around the country.

The advert is directed at residents “but certainly also at The Hague”, he said. People are free to voice their views, he added, but must do so with respect, “not  with threats or bricks through windows, leaving councillors afraid to go outside.”

Figures from last year show that 45% of local politicians nationwide have faced aggression or intimidation since 2022, with almost all reporting verbal abuse and more than half receiving threats.

Delayed decisions

Last week the Telegraaf reported that many local councils are delaying decisions on opening new asylum centres until after the local elections in March 2026.

Although all 342 councils are required to provide accommodation for their fair share of refugees by law many have yet to do so, the paper said.

Earlier this year, the Dutch local authorities association called on the government to act swiftly to address problems around accommodation for asylum seekers, warning that local councils are being left “on their own.”

In a letter to the cabinet, Sharon Dijksma, mayor of Utrecht and chairwoman of the local authorities association VNG, said the situation is spiralling out of control. “Councils are finding it harder and harder to do their jobs,” she wrote.