Three-quarters of the Netherlands’ 8,000 local councillors are standing again in the municipal elections on March 18, despite a sharp rise in aggression and intimidation, according to research by NOS and regional broadcasters.

The research, which involved local councillors’ association NVvR, shows the number of councillors experiencing threats or abuse has more than doubled since 2022 when the last vote was held.

One in three councillors said they had faced aggression, intimidation or violence during the past council term. Among those targeted, 30% said it had affected how they function while four years ago, that figure was 25%.

NVvR chairman Abdullah Uysal said tensions had escalated after parliament cast doubt on implementing legislation intended to spread asylum seekers more evenly across the country’s 342 local authorities.

Councillors have been pelted with eggs and fireworks, meetings have been held behind closed doors and local politicians have been threatened at home, Uysal told news agency ANP.

Other local issues can also trigger abuse, such as the closure of a swimming pool or library, or even the installation of a speed bump in a 30 kilometre zone, he said.

Women are more than twice as likely to face threats and insults as their male colleagues.

Most councillors said the incidents had not changed their work, but many acknowledged it had an impact. Some said they had become more cautious about what they say in debates or on social media. Others said they kept details from family members or avoided certain discussions.

Several described being threatened at home or followed in the street. Others spoke of conspiracy theories circulating online, accusing councillors of pursuing secret agendas.

Despite the pressures, 75% of councillors said they want to serve another term. Most said they stood for election to contribute to their local community and 86% said they were satisfied with what they had achieved.