Animal welfare party joins city government in the Netherlands

A first for political parties advocating for animal rights, nature, and the environment.

The Dutch Party for the Animals made significant gains in the local elections last spring. In many municipalities, the number of elected council members doubled. In several major cities, the party even managed to win an impressive 10% of the vote. Following successful negotiations, the Party for the Animals will now join the daily municipal council in two major Dutch cities: Arnhem and Groningen. In Amersfoort and Almere, negotiations have not yet been concluded: the Party for the Animals still has a chance to take part in governing those cities as well.

The fact that the Party for the Animals has succeeded in leaving a clear mark on the negotiations is reflected in the coalition agreements presented jointly with various other parties in both municipalities. In both cases, the municipal plans demonstrate a social, globally minded vision and place strong emphasis on the importance of improving the treatment of animals, nature, and the environment. Both coalitions pledge to no longer pursue economic growth as an end in itself, but instead to focus on the well-being and prosperity of people and animals, while respecting the planet's boundaries.

Advocating at the local level for people, animals, and the planet

At the local level, this means a policy that promotes equal opportunities for all, invests more in animal welfare, and acknowledges the scale of the climate and biodiversity crisis — acting accordingly. It is about measures to reduce energy consumption, pesticide use, and over-fertilization, about investing in the transition to plant-based foods, and about shortening the chain from farm to table. It means plans that strengthen nature, animal welfare, and ecological values, and that choose animal-friendly solutions in situations where humans and animals come into conflict.

«A clear victory for the animals«, said the Party for the Animals in Arnhem. «We are very proud that our positions on hunting, animal cruelty, and plant-based nutrition, among others, have been included in the agreement«. On land owned by the municipality, hunting will be banned, and elsewhere it will be discouraged. In addition, lunches and dinners organised by the municipality will be plant-based as standard.

In Groningen, the Party for the Animals is even providing the first alderman responsible for the «protein transition«, who is part of a portfolio that also covers nature, animals, and culture. The party aims to encourage consumers to shift towards a more plant-based diet and to support farmers who want to transition to sustainable agriculture. After all, reducing livestock farming is crucial for tackling the climate crisis, protecting public health, and restoring nature.

«We are convinced that we have made clear the necessity of changing our relationship with animals, nature, and the environment«, says the Party for the Animals in Groningen. «Of course, we will remain critical. Being a driving force for change continues to be our top priority.«