2002 Dutch municipal reorganization elections

Netherlands March 2002 2003 20 November 20026 November 2002 (Echt-Susteren) 59.30% ( 2.56pp) 158 of 9889 municipal seatsSeat tallies below only reflect affected municipalities yes Local parties 61 39 24.95 #4878a8 Christian Democratic Appeal 51 42 23.70 Labour Party (Netherlands) 36 24 13.25 Socialist Party (Netherlands) 13 15 11.40 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 30 13 9.17 Joint lists 12 9 4.58 #d9b2d9 GroenLinks 5 5 3.86 Pim Fortuyn List new 4 3.28 Democrats 66 11 3 2.52 Christian Union (Netherlands) 2 2 1.42 Reformed Political Party 2 2 1.11 Netherlands center Netherlands Echt-Susteren Map-ctl2-green+blue.svg 51.1 5.86 top Netherlands Zwijndrecht Location dot green.svg 51.82 4.65 top Netherlands Oss Location dot red.svg 51.77 5.52 top Netherlands Hulst Map-ctl2-green+blue.svg 51.28 4.05 Netherlands Sluis Map-ctl2-green+blue.svg 51.31 3.39 bottom Netherlands Terneuzen Location dot green.svg 51.33 3.83 top  11px CDA won plurality  11px SP won plurality  11px CDA won plurality, local parties won plurality if grouped together Municipal reorganization elections were held in the Netherlands in November 2002. They were controversially seen as a bellwether for the 2003 Dutch general election. Over the course of April to June 2002, the Dutch government approved six new municipal mergers, which would take effect on 1 January 2003. This led to new elections in November 2002 across six reorganized municipalities: Oss (largest), Terneuzen, Zwijndrecht, Echt-Susteren, Hulst and Sluis (smallest). Half of these prospective municipalities were located in Zeeland; the others were located in Limburg (Echt-Susteren), South Holland (Zwijndrecht) and North Brabant (Oss). In the municipal elections of 1998, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) won pluralities in 3 of these areas, while trailing the Socialist Party (SP) in Oss, the Labour Party (PvdA) in Zwijndrecht, and a local party in Sluis. Furthermore, if local parties are treated as a bloc, they outpolled the CDA in Echt-Susteren and Hulst, where they won outright majorities. Across these areas, the CDA was the strongest national contender, garnering 28'234 votes (22.2%). The CDA was followed by the Labour Party (PvdA), which received 15.4% of the vote. In October 2002, internal strife within the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) led to the collapse of the first Balkenende cabinet, triggering a snap election in January 2003. As a result, the municipal reorganization elections held the following month were treated as a tentative indicator of national trends, despite covering only newly merged municipalities. Analysts debated their relevance, with some arguing the elections reflected broader sentiment while others highlighted the distortions introduced by local grievances and the unique context of annexations. The SP was projected to strengthen its position in Oss, while the CDA was expected to perform well. Far-right activity surfaced in Zwijndrecht and Oss, though ultimately failed to gain traction. National party leaders, including the CDA's Jan Peter Balkenende, PvdA’s Wouter Bos, VVD's Gerrit Zalm, SP's Jan Marijnissen, and GroenLinks’ Paul Rosenmöller actively campaigned in the affected areas. On 6 November, Echt-Susteren became the election cycle's first municipality to vote; the rest followed on the 20th. The CDA emerged as the overall winner, collecting 28,554 votes (23.7%) and leading in five of six new municipalities, with its strongest performance in Zwijndrecht. The SP dominated in Oss with 38.4% but did not achieve an outright majority. The PvdA came second overall with 15,963 votes (13.2%) but suffered a notable decline, particularly in Zwijndrecht where it lost its plurality. Local parties, although fragmented, performed well collectively, especially in Echt-Susteren and Hulst, where they collectively exceeded 50% of the vote. The far-right New National Party contested only Zwijndrecht and failed to win a seat. Analysts cautioned against drawing national conclusions from partisan results, citing local dynamics and the distorting effects of recent mergers, though the high turnout was attributed to the cabinet collapse. In Oss, 17-year-old Lilian Marijnissen—future leader of the SP—won a seat via preference votes, joining the municipal council in September 2003 after reaching the age of eligibility. Background Municipal reorganizations in the Netherlands Legislative The previous 2001 Dutch municipal reorganization elections municipal reorganization elections were held in November 2001 nl Gemeentelijke herindelingsverkiezingen in Nederland 2001, and regular municipal elections followed in March 2002. Over the course of April to June 2002, the government approved a number of new municipal mergers, which would take effect on 1 January 2003: The municipalities of Heerjansdam and Zwijndrecht: merged into the new municipality of Zwijndrecht. (18 April 2002)Wet tot samenvoeging van de gemeenten Heerjansdam en Zwijndrecht. Gearchiveerd op 7 december 2017. The municipalities of Oss and Ravenstein: merged into the new municipality of Oss. (18 April 2002)Wet tot samenvoeging van de gemeenten Oss en Ravenstein. Gearchiveerd op 7 december 2017. The municipalities of Hontenisse and Hulst: merged into the new municipality of Hulst. (16 May 2002)Herindelingswet Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. The municipalities of Oostburg and Sluis-Aardenburg: merged into the new municipality of Sluis. (16 May 2002)Herindelingswet Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. The municipalities of Axel, Sas van Gent, and Terneuzen: merged into the new municipality of Terneuzen. (16 May 2002)Herindelingswet Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. The municipalities of Echt and Susteren: merged into the new municipality of Echt-Susteren. (20 June 2002)Wet tot samenvoeging van de gemeenten Echt en Susteren. Gearchiveerd op 7 december 2017. This precipitated municipal reorganization elections for November 2002. Political geography / prior results In the south-eastern Netherlands, the predecessors of Limburg’s municipality of Echt-Susteren (Echt and Susteren) cast 18,461 valid votes in 1998, and more than half of them—58.9%, or 10,860 ballots—went to local parties, giving those non-national actors a majority. Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) followed distantly with 3,965 votes (21.5%). Labour (PvdA) collected 1,163 votes, slightly ahead of GroenLinks at 1,065, while Democrats 66 (D66) drew 863 ballots and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) secured only 545. In the neighbouring province of North Brabant, Oss—together with the later absorbed municipality of Ravenstein—counted 34,802 votes. In that locality, the SP commanded first place with 11,045 ballots (31.8%) and CDA held second on 22.5%, while local parties captured 19.4% of the vote overall.Nederlandse verkiezingsuitslagen 1918-nu https://www.nlverkiezingen.com/ 2025-06-05 www.nlverkiezingen.com Oss is further notable as the birth place of Jan Marijnissen, who served as the SP's lead candidate in the 1998 and 2002 general elections, a role he would reprise in 2003.17 March 2022 In Barendrecht kan één partij het gemeentebestuur vormen, en nog vijf opvallende uitslagen https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/in-barendrecht-kan-een-partij-het-gemeentebestuur-vormen-en-nog-vijf-opvallende-uitslagen~bbf4f1c4/ 5 June 2025 Volkskrant At the southwestern edge of the coastal province of Zeeland, the predecessors of the municipality of Sluis (Oostburg and Sluis-Aardenburg) recorded 12,129 votes in 1998. Local parties led with 3,467 votes, comprising 28.6% of the total, followed by the PvdA with 2,667 votes (22.0%) and CDA close behind on 2,460 votes (20.3%). The VVD garnered 1,513 ballots, accounting for 12.5%, while joint lists received 1,401 votes (11.6%), and D66 drew 621 votes (5.1%). Moving east to the province's largest city—Terneuzen and its future fusees (Axel and Sas van Gent)—the 25,376 valid votes were more evenly distributed. The VVD followed on 4 184 (16.5%), local parties on 3 986 (15.7%) and D66 on 1 562 (6.2%). Joint lists attracted 1 327 ballots (5.2%), while GroenLinks, the Reformed Political Party (SGP) and the Reformed Political League (GPV) hovered at 3-4%. Further inland in Hulst (and its future fusee Hontenisse), 15,503 ballots were cast. Local parties dominated with 7,890 votes (50.9%), with CDA second at 3,691 (23.8%), PvdA third at 2,052 (13.2%), and VVD receiving 1,579 (10.2%). D66 trailed with 291 votes, or 1.9%. North of Zeeland, future fusees Heerjansdam and Zwijndrecht of South Holland produced 20,809 votes. Labour secured a narrow plurality, drawing 4,846 ballots (23.3%), with VVD at 22.7% and CDA close behind at 21.9%. Joint lists took 13.7%, D66 9.6%, GroenLinks obtained 6.7%, and the far-right People's Nationalists Netherlands (VNN) received 2.1%. Taken together, the six reorganising territories yielded 127 080 votes. Local parties form the largest bloc with 32 937 ballots, or 25.9%. CDA follows with 22.2%; PvdA and VVD command 15.4% and 13.3% respectively. The SP’s 11 045 ballots correspond to 8.7%, D66 adds 5.4%, joint lists 4.4% and GroenLinks 2.8%, while SGP, GPV and VNN each finished below one percent. + Results of the 1998 municipal elections in the areas later merged Municipalities(1998 → 2003) Local parties CDA PvdA VVD SP D66 Joint lists GL SGP GPV VNN Echt Susteren Merged into: Echt-Susteren17 seats(10 860 votes) 6(3 965) 1(1 163) 1(545) – 1(863) – 2(1 065) – – – Heerjansdam Zwijndrecht Merged into: Zwijndrecht – 8(4 562)9(4 846) 9(4 723) – 5(1 998) 5(2 853) 2(1 394) – – 0(433) Oss Ravenstein Merged into: Oss 11(6 734) 11(7 838) 5(3 212) 5(4 419)13(11 045) 1(1 554) – – – – – Hontenisse Hulst Merged into: Hulst17(7 890) 7(3 691) 3(2 052) 3(1 579) – 0(291) – – – – – Oostburg Sluis-Aardenburg Merged into: Sluis8(3 467) 7(2 460) 6(2 667) 3(1 513) – 1(621) 5(1 401) – – – – Axel Sas van Gent Terneuzen Merged into: Terneuzen 8(3 986)12(5 718) 12(5 574) 9(4 184) – 3(1 562) 2(1 327) 1(1 134) 2(1 123) 2(768) – Total61(32 937) 51(28 234) 36(19 514) 30(16 963) 13(11 045) 11(6 889) 12(5 581) 5(3 593) 2(1 123) 2(816) 0(433) Cabinet disintegration 2002 Dutch general election#Aftermath Mounting strife within the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) placed the first Balkenende cabinet under acute strain in October 2002. Two rival camps crystallised: Eduard Bomhoff aligned with interim party chair Ed Maas, whereas Herman Heinsbroek backed parliamentary leader Harry Wijnschenk. On 4 October Jan Balkenende still dismissed questions about LPF discord.Hippe, J., Voerman, G., & Lucardie, A. (2004). Kroniek 2002: overzicht van partijpolitieke gebeurtenissen van het jaar 2002. In G. Voerman (editor), Jaarboek Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen 2002 (blz. 18-180). (Jaarboek Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen). Documentatiecentrum Nederlandse Politieke Partijen35 During an assembly on 5 October, Heinsbroek was the only minister to publicly support Weinschenk, while Bomhoff was publicly neutral. Heinsbroek denounced Bomhoff's neutral speech as a lulverhaal ("bullshit"), and the pair clashed again when Bomhoff urged revisions to Central Planning Bureau models, to which Heinsbroek objected. Viewing their feud as a threat to government viability, Balkenende warned at the 11 October cabinet meeting that the squabbling must cease; VVD leader Gerrit Zalm echoed the concern on 13 October, saying a cabinet could not function with two ministers "who can’t stand the sight of each other."123 On 13 October LPF ministers convened and, by majority, demanded Bomhoff’s resignation; ministers Khee Liang Phoa and Cees van Leeuwen dissented. After Prince Claus’s funeral on 15 October, LPF ministers withdrew confidence in both Bomhoff and Heinsbroek, yet they refused to step aside, each insisting the parliamentary caucus should decide. Balkenende suspended that evening's cabinet session, warning he would govern only if the LPF united behind its leader and both ministers resigned voluntarily. The next morning, before talks resumed, Zalm and CDA parliamentary leader Maxime Verhagen declared their trust in the coalition exhausted. Bomhoff and Heinsbroek agreed to quit, but the decision was moot: Balkenende informed Parliament that his cabinet had lost its basis and tendered his resignation to the Queen. Bomhoff’s later memoir, Blinde Ambitie (published 19 December 2002), quoting confidential cabinet deliberations, prompted an inquiry into possible breach of official secrecy.123-124 Immediately after the collapse, Balkenende and Verhagen signalled readiness to continue with the VVD but not the LPF, noting polls that hinted at a joint majority of 77 to 79 seats.46 LPF ministers petitioned Queen Beatrix on 21 October for a "glueing attempt," even offering to cede a portfolio, yet CDA and VVD dismissed the overture as "a passed station."21 October 2002 LPF wil lijmpoging; CDA en VVD wijzen dit af https://www.parlement.com/id/vgagk0xnw2zr/nieuws/lpf_wil_lijmpoging_cda_en_vvd_wijzen_dit parlement.com Following consultations with her constitutional advisers and parliamentary leaders—none but the LPF favoured salvaging the coalition—the Queen accepted the resignation.Verkiezingen op 22 januari; geen lijmpoging https://www.parlement.com/id/vgagk0xnydw9/nieuws/verkiezingen_op_22_januari_geen 2025-05-09 www.parlement.com nl Balkende set 22 January 2003 for new elections, allowing time for new parties to register by 28 October. Balkenende explained the date as the earliest practicable moment satisfying the House’s wish for rapid elections.21 October 2002 Verkiezingen op 22 januari https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/verkiezingen-op-22-januari~b3dc09ea/ Volkskrant In the intervening caretaker period the portfolios of the departed LPF ministers were reassigned to CDA and VVD colleagues—Aart Jan de Geus took Health and the deputy premiership from Bomhoff, while Hans Hoogervorst assumed Economic Affairs from Heinsbroek.36 Campaign Bellwhether and forecasts In light of the cabinet collapse, the November 2002 municipal elections came to be seen as a "cautious bellwether" for the upcoming snap election.CDA wint tussentijdse gemeenteraadsverkiezingen - Nederlandse Grondwet https://www.denederlandsegrondwet.nl/id/vgbbk0xowvyo/nieuws/cda_wint_tussentijdse 2025-06-05 www.denederlandsegrondwet.nl While the results would only reflect outcomes in a limited number of newly reorganized municipalities, political figures and analysts still scrutinized them for signs of shifting allegiances. Campaigners such as CDA strategist Ries Smits argued the results would express national trends, despite regional variation. Others, including SP campaign manager Tiny Kox, downplayed any broader significance, portraying local elections as inherently site-specific. Political scientist Cees van der Eijk warned that any interpretation would be inconclusive, especially given the unique character of merger-driven votes and their frequent emphasis on local identity and resentment.Moerland René 19 November 2002 Graadmeter Oss? https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2002/11/19/graadmeter-oss-7614863-a425722 NRC Handelsblad Some observers focused on the electoral peculiarities introduced by municipal mergers themselves. Analyst Marcel Boogers emphasized how annexation could provoke backlash, especially in smaller communities with strong local identities. This dynamic, he argued, sometimes leads to spikes in turnout or support for newly founded local parties, such as Rosmalens Belang after Rosmalen’s incorporation into Den Bosch. In 2002, the mergers appeared to lack that same level of intensity, but concerns lingered. In Heerjansdam, for example, fears of diminished autonomy prompted a last-minute move to establish a village council parallel to the new Zwijndrecht municipal government. These localized responses complicated the interpretation of results, raising questions about whether changes in party performance truly reflected national momentum or merely municipal discontent. Nevertheless, concrete expectations were circulated in the run-up to the vote. The SP, already holding a plurality in Oss, was projected to win an outright majority—though Marcel Boogers speculated the recent annexation of Ravenstein might dampen its total due to weaker support there.22 The CDA, meanwhile, was forecast to secure pluralities in Hulst, Sluis, and Terneuzen, but not in Zwijndrecht.43 Furthermore, the SGP was expected to suffer a seat loss in Terneuzen.163 Echt-Susteren For a detailed overview of this municipality' results, see #Echt-Susteren (6 November, Limburg) Echt-Susteren (fused from Echt and Susteren) was the first municipality to vote in this election cycle. Whereas the other provinces held elections on 20 November, Limburg's new municipality cast its vote on the 6th. However, because this particular municipal election mostly concerned local parties, it was not considered to be of national significance.22 Accordingly, while the CDA attained a plurality with 4019 votes (22.7%)—262 more than the local Lijst Samenwerking (Cooperation List)—local parties still collectively garnered 56.5% of the vote. Far-right involvement In Zwijndrecht, the far-right New National Party (NNP) attempted to rebrand itself under the more electorally appealing name “Leefbaar Zwijndrecht.” The name was registered just one week after the electoral breakthrough of Leefbaar Rotterdam under Pim Fortuyn. Although framed as a local initiative, the new association was dominated by established NNP figures, with two of its three founding board members already serving within the NNP leadership. Their dual intent was to shield the “Leefbaar” brand from rival claimants while leveraging its populist appeal to attract votes. Ultimately, internal opposition to this rebranding led the party to contest the election solely under the NNP label.Kafka 2002-11-01 Gemeenteraadsverkiezingen 2002 in Oss en Zwijndrecht https://kafka.nl/gemeenteraadsverkiezingen-2002-in-oss-en-zwijndrecht/ 2025-06-06 Kafka nl-NL The party's leading figures in Zwijndrecht included national NNP treasurer Bert Heidekamp and Janny Bom-Jurgens, both veterans of the Dutch far-right scene. Bom-Jurgens, despite her past affiliations with the Centre Party, Centre Democrats, VNN, and the NNP, publicly claimed only to have been a member of the VVD. Her short-lived role as chairwoman of Leefbaar Zwijndrecht ended in the summer of 2002 when she declined to continue the initiative. Following this rift, both she and Heidekamp resigned from the board, and the rebranded project failed to coalesce. In Oss, far-right activity manifested in a separate but equally controversial attempt to participate in the elections under the LPF banner. A former Centre Democrats candidate registered an “LPF/Fortuynlijk Oss” chapter. The LPF, while initially aware of the candidate's CD background, claimed ignorance of his alleged criminal record and swiftly expelled him from the local chapter, although he remained a nominal party member. The candidate threatened to run independently under the name Lokaal 2002 Oss, but ultimately failed to submit a valid candidate list. Among those aiding his short-lived effort was Bart van Amelsfort, a former member of CP’86 and the militant Aktionfront Nationale Socialisten. Campaigning by national party leaders Unlike the election of 6 November in Echt-Susteren—downplayed at the national level due to the dominance of local parties—the municipal reorganization elections of 20 November 2002 in Oss, Hulst, Terneuzen, Sluis and especially Zwijndrecht were considered more nationally significant.22 These contests featured significant involvement by national political parties and attracted substantial attention from party leaders ahead of the snap general election scheduled for January 2003. The presence of familiar political brands and the participation of high-profile figures added symbolic weight to the results, especially as national leaders attempted to reinforce their visibility in areas undergoing administrative change.De zegetocht van de SP in Oss http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/1037686702250.html Volkskrant In this context, the elections were treated as an early test of national party strength under volatile conditions. VVD leader Gerrit Zalm appeared in Oss on 12 November. During his visit, Zalm addressed Turkish immigrants whom he addressed at a local mosque. His campaigning style drew mixed reviews; critics occasionally faulted him for an overly dour demeanour and a perceived lack of personal warmth. Zalm acknowledged some of these concerns in a personal weblog, an innovative campaign feature at the time.177-178 Other national leaders, including CDA's Jan Peter Balkenende, PvdA’s Wouter Bos, and GroenLinks’ Paul Rosenmöller, also made appearances in the relevant municipalities. In Oss, Socialist Party leader Jan Marijnissen, a resident of the city, took on a particularly active role, leveraging local visibility to support the SP’s anticipated gains. Results The CDA was considered the winner of this election cycle. Nationwide vote As of 1 January 2003, there were a total of 9889 municipal seats across the Netherlands.https://web.archive.org/web/20181115191914/https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2003/14/het-resultaat-van-gemeenteraadsverkiezingen Seat changes in the table below only reflect the relevant municipalities. Local parties 30071 39 −22 #4878a8 Christian Democratic Appeal 28554 42 −9 Labour Party 15963 24 −12 Socialist Party 13739 15 +2 VVD 11055 13 −17 Joint lists 5517 9 −3 #d9b2d9 GroenLinks 4650 5 0 Pim Fortuyn List 3952 4 New Democrats 66 3032 3 −8 Christian Union 1711 2 0 Reformed Political Party 1338 2 0 Durable Netherlands nl Duurzaam Nederland 603 0 New New National Party (Netherlands) 316 0 New −88 92 203371 Results by municipality With 28'554 votes (23.7% of all valid ballots) the CDA emerged ahead overall and won pluralities in five of the six newly constituted councils, conceding first place only in Oss, where the SP surged (38.40%, +6.7pp) but came short of a majority. The CDA’s largest raw haul also came from that city—6'944 ballots—yet the 19.9% share there was 2.6pp lower than in 1998 and trailed the SP total. The party’s strongest proportional result stood in Zwijndrecht: 4'858 votes supplied 27.1% and a gain of 5.3pp. Comparable outcomes were achieved in Terneuzen (26.9%, +4.4pp), Hulst (25.0%, +1.2pp), Sluis (23.0%, +2.7pp) and Echt-Susteren (22.7%, +1.2pp), each figure enough to top the local tables. The most pronounced upward swing therefore belonged to Zwijndrecht, the mildest to Hulst, while Oss supplied the only contraction. Across the six authorities the CDA captured 42 of 158 seats and lifted its combined vote share by 1.5pp relative to 1998. The Labour Party collected 15'963 votes, equal to a 13.2% share and the second-largest total nationwide, yet its 3'246 ballots in Zwijndrecht (18.1%) were insufficient to retain that municipality’s plurality. Its broadest foothold lay in Terneuzen, where 5'388 votes corresponded to 23.0% of the local poll—an increase of 1.0pp over 1998. Notable though smaller results were logged in Sluis (2'099 votes; 17.5%, –4.5pp), Hulst (1'839; 12.6%, –0.7pp) and Oss (2'412; 6.9%, –2.3pp). Echt-Susteren provided the slimmest showing: 979 ballots translated into 5.5%, a dip of 0.8pp in spite of high turnout. Across the six councils the party secured 24 of 158 seats, while its combined vote share receded by about 2.1pp compared with 1998. The sharpest local decline—5.1pp—occurred in Zwijndrecht, whereas the sole advance was the 1.0-point uptick in Terneuzen. Local parties collectively amassed 30'071 ballots, representing 24.9% of all valid votes and yielding 39 seats. Although no local party became the largest of any municipality in its own right, they collectively reached pluralities in three: Echt-Susteren registered 10'005 votes (56.5%), Hulst 7'600 (51.9%) and Sluis 3 919 (32.7%), the last figure reflecting the bloc’s sharpest advance at +4.1pp over 1998. More restrained returns appeared in Oss, where 5'137 votes equated to 14.8% and a fall of 4.6pp, and in Terneuzen, where 3'410 ballots produced 14.6%, a slide of 1.1pp. In aggregate their support slipped 0.9pp relative to the previous cycle. The far-right New National Party (NNP), formerly the VNN, contested only Zwijndrecht and secured 316 votes (1.8%), insufficient for a single council seat. Municipality Eligible Turn-out Localparties CDA PvdA SP VVD Jointlists GL LPF D66 CU SGP DN NNP Echt-Susteren 25 309 70.1%13 seats(10 005 votes) 6(4 019) 1(979) 0(357) 1(740) 1(705) 1(916) – – – – – – Zwijndrecht_(Nederland)_vlag.svg Zwijndrecht 34 981 51.2% –8(4 858) 6(3 246) – 4(2 603) 4(2 413) 2(1 156) 3(1 857) 2(1 446) – – – 0(316) Oss 58 305 59.8% 5(5 137) 8(6 944) 2(2 412)15(13 382) 4(4 289) – 1(865) 0(521) 0(695) – – 0(603) – Hulst 21 965 66.6%11(7 600) 6(3 662) 3(1 839) – 1(1 101) – 0(212) 0(220) – – – – – Sluis 19 640 61.1%6(3 919) 5(2 758) 4(2 099) – – 4(2 399) 0(516) 0(293) – – – – – Terneuzen 43 171 54.3% 4(3 410)9(6 313) 8(5 388) – 3(2 322) – 1(985) 1(1 061) 1(891) 2(1 711) 2(1 338) – – Total 203 371 59.3%39(30 071) 42(28 554) 24(15 963) 15(13 739) 13(11 055) 9(5 517) 5(4 650) 4(3 952) 3(3 032) 2(1 711) 2(1 338) 0(603) 0(316) Echt-Susteren (6 November, Limburg) Municipality 1998 result 1998 result (combined) 2002 resultSusteren 8200 210 2009 Christian Democratic Appeal 1833 #4878a8 1696 #4878a8 1271 #4878a8 863 Democrats 66 528 Labour Party (Netherlands) text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (2009 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 DS (1833 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 AB (1696 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 PGS ’90 (1271 votes, 2 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (863 votes, 1 seat) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (528 votes, 0 seats) Total: 8200 votes, 11 seats 18461 210 3965 Christian Democratic Appeal 3865 #4878a8 1833 #4878a8 1696 #4878a8 1271 #4878a8 1163 Labour Party (Netherlands) 1065 GroenLinks 993 #4878a8 863 Democrats 66 679 #4878a8 545 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 523 #4878a8 text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (3965 votes, 6 seats) #4878a8 LS (3865 votes, 7 seats) #4878a8 DS (1833 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 AB (1696 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 PGS ’90 (1271 votes, 2 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (1163 votes, 1 seat) GroenLinks GL (1065 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 LM (993 votes, 1 seat) Democrats 66 D66 (863 votes, 1 seat) #4878a8 KB (679 votes, 1 seat) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (545 votes, 1 seat) #4878a8 DPB (523 votes, 1 seat) Total: 18 461 votes, 28 seatsMerged into:Echt-Susteren 17721 210 4019 Christian Democratic Appeal 3757 #4878a8 2758 #4878a8 1321 #4878a8 990 #4878a8 979 Labour Party (Netherlands) 916 GroenLinks 860 #4878a8 740 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 705 Democrats 66 357 Socialist Party (Netherlands) 319 #4878a8 text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (4019 votes, 6 seats, ) #4878a8 LS (3757 votes, 5 seats, 2) #4878a8 AB (2758 votes, 4 seats, 2) #4878a8 DES (1321 votes, 2 seats, 1) #4878a8 KB (990 votes, 1 seat, ) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (979 votes, 1 seat, ) GroenLinks GL (916 votes, 1 seat, 1) #4878a8 LM (860 votes, 1 seat, ) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (740 votes, 1 seat, ) Democrats 66 D66 (705 votes, 1 seat, ) Socialist Party (Netherlands) SP (357 votes, 0 seats, (New)) #4878a8 DPB (319 votes, 0 seats, 1) Total: 17 721 votes, 23 seats, 5Echt 10855 210 3865 #4878a8 1956 Christian Democratic Appeal 1065 GroenLinks 993 #4878a8 679 #4878a8 635 Labour Party (Netherlands) 545 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 523 #4878a8 text-align:center; #4878a8 LS (3865 votes, 7 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (1956 votes, 3 seats) GroenLinks GL (1065 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 LM (993 votes, 1 seat) #4878a8 KB (679 votes, 1 seat) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (635 votes, 1 seat) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (545 votes, 1 seat) #4878a8 DPB (523 votes, 1 seat) Total: 10 855 votes, 17 seats Zwijndrecht (South Holland, 20 November) Municipality1998 result1998 result (combined)2002 resultHeerjansdam 1904 210 486 Democrats 66 430 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 426 Labour Party (Netherlands) 407 Christian Democratic Appeal 155 Reformed Political Party padding-centre: 0.6em; text-align: centre; Democrats 66 D66 (486 votes, 3 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (430 votes, 3 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (426 votes, 2 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (407 votes, 2 seats) Reformed Political Party SGP/RPF (155 votes, 1 seat) Total: 1904 votes, 11 seats 20809 210 4846 Labour Party (Netherlands) 4723 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 4562 Christian Democratic Appeal 2853 Reformed Political Party 1998 Democrats 66 1394 GroenLinks 433 New National Party (Netherlands) padding-centre: 0.6em; text-align: centre; Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (4846 votes, 9 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (4723 votes, 9 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (4562 votes, 8 seats) Reformed Political Party SGP/GPV/RPF (2853 votes, 5 seats) Democrats 66 Democrats 66 (1998 votes, 5 seats) GroenLinks GL (1394 votes, 2 seats) New National Party (Netherlands) VNN (433 votes, 0 seats) Total: 20'809 votes, 38 seatsMerged into:Zwijndrecht_(Nederland)_vlag.svg Zwijndrecht 17895 210 4846 Christian Democratic Appeal 3246 Labour Party (Netherlands) 2603 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 2413 Christian Union – Reformed Political Party 1857 Pim Fortuyn List 1446 Democrats 66 1156 GroenLinks 316 New National Party (Netherlands) padding-centre: 0.6em; text-align: centre; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (4858 votes, 8 seats, ) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (3246 votes, 6 seats, 3) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (2603 votes, 4 seats, 5) Christian Union – Reformed Political Party CU–SGP (2413 votes, 4 seats, 1) Pim Fortuyn List LPF (1857 votes, 3 seats, (New)) GroenLinks GL (1156 votes, 2 seats, ) New National Party (Netherlands) NPP (316 votes, 0 seats, ) Total: 17'895 votes, 29 seats, 9Zwijndrecht_(Nederland)_vlag.svg Zwijndrecht 18905 210 4420 Labour Party (Netherlands) 4293 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 4155 Christian Democratic Appeal 2698 Reformed Political Party 1512 Democrats 66 1394 GroenLinks 433 New National Party (Netherlands) padding-centre: 0.6em; text-align: centre; Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (4420 votes, 7 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (4293 votes, 6 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (4155 votes, 6 seats) Reformed Political Party SGP/GPV/RPF (2698 votes, 4 seats) Democrats 66 Democrats 66 (1512 votes, 2 seats) GroenLinks GL (1394 votes, 2 seats) New National Party (Netherlands) VNN (433 votes, 0 seats) Total: 18'905 votes, 27 seats Oss (North Brabant, 20 November) Municipality 1998 result 1998 result (combined) 2002 resultVlag Ravenstein.png Ravenstein 4807 210 1391 #4878a8 1125 Christian Democratic Appeal 800 #4878a8 777 #4878a8 479 Labour Party (Netherlands) 235 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy text-align:center; #4878a8 H'77 (1391 votes, 4 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (1125 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 DB (800 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 POR (777 votes, 2 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (479 votes, 2 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (235 votes, 0 seats) Total: 4807 votes, 13 seats 34802 210 11045 Socialist Party (Netherlands) 7838 Christian Democratic Appeal 4419 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 3212 Labour Party (Netherlands) 3198 #4878a8 1554 Democrats 66 1391 #4878a8 800 #4878a8 777 #4878a8 568 #4878a8 text-align:center; Socialist Party (Netherlands) SP (11 045 votes, 13 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (7838 votes, 11 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (4419 votes, 5 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (3212 votes, 5 seats) #4878a8 VdG (3198 votes, 3 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (1554 votes, 1 seat) #4878a8 H'77 (1391 votes, 4 seats) #4878a8 DB (800 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 POR (777 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 PMB (568 votes, 0 seats) Total: 34 802 votes, 46 seatsMerged into:Oss 34848 210 13382 Socialist Party (Netherlands) 6944 Christian Democratic Appeal 4706 #4878a8 4289 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 2412 Labour Party (Netherlands) 865 GroenLinks 695 Democrats 66 320 #4878a8 text-align:center; Socialist Party (Netherlands) SP (13 382 votes, 15 seats, 2) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (6944 votes, 8 seats, 3) #4878a8 VdG (4706 votes, 5 seats, 2) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (4289 votes, 4 seats, 1) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (2412 votes, 2 seats, 3) GroenLinks GL (865 votes, 1 seat, (New)) Democrats 66 D66 (695 votes, 0 seats, 1) #4878a8 PMB (320 votes, 0 seats, ) Total: 34 848 votes, 35 seats, 11Oss 29995 210 11045 Socialist Party (Netherlands) 6713 Christian Democratic Appeal 4184 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 3198 #4878a8 2733 Labour Party (Netherlands) 1554 Democrats 66 568 #4878a8 text-align:center; Socialist Party (Netherlands) SP (11 045 votes, 13 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (6713 votes, 8 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (4184 votes, 5 seats) #4878a8 VdG (3198 votes, 3 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (2733 votes, 3 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (1554 votes, 1 seat) #4878a8 PMB (568 votes, 0 seats) Total: 29 995 votes, 33 seats Hulst (Zeeland, 20 November) Municipality 1998 result 1998 result (combined) 2002 resultFlag of Hontenisse.svg Hontenisse 4997 210 1559 #4878a8 1289 #4878a8 1265 Christian Democratic Appeal 884 #4878a8 text-align:center; #4878a8 AB (1559 votes, 4 seats) #4878a8 GH (1289 votes, 4 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (1265 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 PrHon (884 votes, 2 seats) Total: 4997 votes, 13 seats 15503 210 3691 Christian Democratic Appeal 2693 #4878a8 2052 Labour Party (Netherlands) 1559 #4878a8 1579 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 1465 #4878a8 1289 #4878a8 884 #4878a8 291 Democrats 66 text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (3691 votes, 7 seats) #4878a8 GH/GB (2693 votes, 4 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (2052 votes, 3 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (1579 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 AB (1559 votes, 4 seats) #4878a8 PrHul (1465 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 GH (1289 votes, 4 seats) #4878a8 PrHon (884 votes, 2 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (291 votes, 0 seats) Total: 15 503 votes, 30 seatsMerged into:Hulst 14634 210 3662 Christian Democratic Appeal 2555 #4878a8 1839 Labour Party (Netherlands) 1679 #4878a8 1531 #4878a8 1325 #4878a8 1101 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 510 #4878a8 220 Pim Fortuyn List 212 GroenLinks text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (3662 votes, 6 seats, 1) #4878a8 GH/GB (2555 votes, 4 seats, ) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (1839 votes, 3 seats, ) #4878a8 ABH (1679 votes, 2 seats, 2) #4878a8 GHH (1531 votes, 3 seats, 1) #4878a8 PrHul (1325 votes, 2 seats, 1) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (1101 votes, 1 seat, 2) #4878a8 PrHon (510 votes, 0 seats, 2) Pim Fortuyn List LPF (220 votes, 0 seats, (New)) GroenLinks GL (212 votes, 0 seats, (New)) Total: 14 634 votes, 21 seats, 9Hulst 10506 210 2693 #4878a8 2426 Christian Democratic Appeal 2052 Labour Party (Netherlands) 1579 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 1465 #4878a8 291 Democrats 66 text-align:center; #4878a8 GH/GB (2693 votes, 4 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (2426 votes, 4 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (2052 votes, 3 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (1579 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 PrHul (1465 votes, 3 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (291 votes, 0 seats) Total: 10 506 votes, 17 seats Sluis (Zeeland, 20 November) Municipality 1998 result 1998 result (combined) 2002 resultSluis-Aardenburg vlag.svg Sluis-Aardenburg 3975 210 1401 #4878a8 805 Christian Democratic Appeal 608 #4878a8 533 Labour Party (Netherlands) 432 #4878a8 148 Democrats 66 48 #4878a8 text-align:center; #4878a8 VVD/GB (1401 votes, 5 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (805 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 LR (608 votes, 2 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (533 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 DB&T (432 votes, 1 seat) Democrats 66 D66 (148 votes, 0 seats) #4878a8 AOV (48 votes, 0 seats) Total: 3975 votes, 13 seats 12177 210 2859 #4878a8 2667 Labour Party (Netherlands) 2460 Christian Democratic Appeal 1513 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 1401 #4878a8 621 Democrats 66 608 #4878a8 text-align:center; #4878a8 DB&T (2859 votes, 6 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (2667 votes, 6 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (2460 votes, 7 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (1513 votes, 3 seats) #4878a8 VVD/GB (1401 votes, 5 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (621 votes, 1 seat) #4878a8 LR (608 votes, 2 seats) Total: 12 177 votes, 30 seatsMerged into:Sluis 11984 210 2758 Christian Democratic Appeal 2399 #4878a8 2099 Labour Party (Netherlands) 2097 #4878a8 1822 #4878a8 516 GroenLinks 293 Pim Fortuyn List text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (2758 votes, 5 seats, 2) #4878a8 VVD/GB (2399 votes, 4 seats, 1) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (2099 votes, 4 seats, 2) #4878a8 DB&T (2097 votes, 3 seats, 3) #4878a8 NW (1822 votes, 3 seats, (New)) GroenLinks GL (516 votes, 0 seats, (New)) Pim Fortuyn List LPF (293 votes, 0 seats, (New)) Total: 11 984 votes, 19 seats, 11Oostburg 8202 210 2427 #4878a8 2134 Labour Party (Netherlands) 1655 Christian Democratic Appeal 1513 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 473 Democrats 66 text-align:center; #4878a8 DB&T (2427 votes, 5 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (2134 votes, 4 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (1655 votes, 4 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (1513 votes, 3 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (473 votes, 1 seat) Total: 8202 votes, 17 seats Terneuzen (Zeeland, 20 November) Municipality 1998 result 1998 result (combined) 2002 resultAxel 6312 210 1857 Christian Democratic Appeal 1634 Labour Party (Netherlands) 1016 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 768 Reformed Political League 511 #4878a8 265 Democrats 66 261 GroenLinks text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (1857 votes, 5 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (1634 votes, 4 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (1016 votes, 3 seats) Reformed Political League GPV (768 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 LS (511 votes, 1 seat) Democrats 66 D66 (265 votes, 0 seats) GroenLinks GL (261 votes, 0 seats) Total: 6312 votes, 15 seats 25376 210 5718 Christian Democratic Appeal 5574 Labour Party (Netherlands) 4184 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 2430 #4878a8 1562 Democrats 66 1327 Christian Union (Netherlands) 1134 GroenLinks 1123 Reformed Political Party 1045 #4878a8 768 Reformed Political League 511 #4878a7 text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (5718 votes, 12 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (5574 votes, 12 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (4184 votes, 9 seats) #4878a8 TOP (2430 votes, 4 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (1562 votes, 3 seats) Christian Union (Netherlands) GPV/RPF (1327 votes, 2 seats) GroenLinks GL (1134 votes, 1 seat) Reformed Political Party SGP (1123 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 GBGS (1045 votes, 3 seats) Reformed Political League GPV (768 votes, 2 seats) #4878a8 LS (511 votes, 1 seat) Total: 25 376 votes, 51 seatsMerged into:Terneuzen 23419 210 6313 Christian Democratic Appeal 5388 Labour Party (Netherlands) 3410 #4878a8 2322 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 1711 Christian Union (Netherlands) 1338 Reformed Political Party 1061 Pim Fortuyn List 985 GroenLinks 891 Democrats 66 text-align:center; Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (6313 votes, 9 seats, 3) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (5388 votes, 8 seats, 4) #4878a8 TOP/GB (3410 votes, 4 seats, 3) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (2322 votes, 3 seats, 6) Christian Union (Netherlands) CU (1711 votes, 2 seats, ) Reformed Political Party SGP (1338 votes, 2 seats, ) Pim Fortuyn List LPF (1061 votes, 1 seat, (New)) GroenLinks GL (985 votes, 1 seat, ) Democrats 66 D66 (891 votes, 1 seat, 2) Total: 23 419 votes, 31 seats, 20Sas van Gent 3857 210 1045 #4878a8 831 Christian Democratic Appeal 756 Labour Party (Netherlands) 664 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 561 Democrats 66 text-align:center; #4878a8 GBGS (1045 votes, 3 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (831 votes, 3 seats) Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (756 votes, 3 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (664 votes, 2 seats) Democrats 66 D66 (561 votes, 2 seats) Total: 3857 votes, 13 seatsTerneuzen 15207 210 3184 Labour Party (Netherlands) 3030 Christian Democratic Appeal 2504 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 2430 #4878a8 1327 Christian Union (Netherlands) 1123 Reformed Political Party 873 GroenLinks 736 Democrats 66 text-align:center; Labour Party (Netherlands) PvdA (3184 votes, 5 seats) Christian Democratic Appeal CDA (3030 votes, 4 seats) People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD (2504 votes, 4 seats) #4878a8 TOP (2430 votes, 4 seats) Christian Union (Netherlands) GPV/RPF (1327 votes, 2 seats) Reformed Political Party SGP (1123 votes, 2 seats) GroenLinks GL (873 votes, 1 seat) Democrats 66 D66 (736 votes, 1 seat) Total: 15 207 votes, 23 seats Analysis On 21 November—the day after the elections—Wim Arts wrote that extracting national trends from the municipal reorganization results remained inherently problematic. Political scientist Marcel Boogers noted that outcomes typically reflected a mix of national dynamics and local factors. In his view, some results—such as the continuing decline of D66—aligned with broader national trajectories. However, other cases were more ambiguous. The VVD’s losses in Oss ran counter to its favorable standing in national polls, while the PvdA’s poor showing there may have stemmed from local grievances, particularly dissatisfaction over the SP’s earlier removal from the municipality's governing coalition. Such specifics made national extrapolation difficult if not inadvisable.Arts Wim 21 November 2002 Trends lastig af te meten aan raadsverkiezingen https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/2002-11-21/edition/0/page/3 Leidsch Dagblad 3 Boogers also addressed the SP’s performance in Oss, where the party remained dominant but posted only modest gains. While national polling had indicated surging support for the SP, the party had effectively reached its electoral “ceiling” in the city; the party’s vote share had little room for further growth. Boogers did identify one clear connection between national developments and the local vote: the increased turnout, which he attributed to the recent collapse of the Balkenende cabinet. Without the heightened political attention brought on by the impending election in January, voter participation would likely have been significantly lower. Lilian Marijnissen During the election in Oss, 17-year-old Lilian Marijnissen—daughter of national SP leader Jan Marijnissen—occupied the 16th position on the SP’s candidate list. Her candidacy prompted a minor controversy when the LPF's municipal lead candidate, Fred Gijsbers, argued that her age rendered her ineligible under Dutch electoral law. However, Mayor Herman Klitsie clarified that candidates younger than 18 may legally stand for election, provided they reach the age of majority during the upcoming council term. Despite her low placement on the list, Lilian Marijnissen secured 550 preference votes—sufficient to win a seat on the Oss city council. Because she had not yet reached the age of eligibility, she was unable to take office immediately following the November 2002 election.Kroniek 2003: Overzicht van de partijpolitieke gebeurtenissen van het jaar 2003 (DNPP)112 Instead, she joined the council on 11 September 2003 after an SP councillor resigned, vacating a seat.112Asseldonk Els van 2017-12-13 In 1989 stond de kersverse SP-leider Lilian Marijnissen ook al op een partijaffiche - met staartjes, op de fiets https://www.businessinsider.nl/lilian-marijnissen-sp-leider/ 2025-06-15 Business Insider Nederland nl-NL Marijnissen remained a member of the Oss municipal council until 20 October 2016,L.M.C. (Lilian) Marijnissen MA https://www.parlement.com/id/vk72k15w6ceu/biografie/l_m_c_lilian_marijnissen 2025-06-15 www.parlement.com nl later entering the national parliament in March 2017.2023-12-12 Marijnissen bij afscheid van Tweede Kamer geprezen https://nos.nl/artikel/2501333-marijnissen-bij-afscheid-van-tweede-kamer-geprezen 2025-06-15 nos.nl nl In December of that same year, she succeeded Emile Roemer as SP parliamentary leader. She stood as the party's lead candidate in the general elections of 2021 and November 2023 before resigning in December 2023. References Category:2002 elections in the Netherlands 2002 Category:November 2002 in Europe