This Monday, the mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan, announced his immediate resignation.
Van der Laan, now 62 years old, became the mayor of Amsterdam in the summer of 2010, having previously worked as a lawyer and Minister of Housing, Communities and Integration.
In January 2017, he announced that he was terminally ill, but hoped to be able to carry on his duties as mayor for a little while longer.
In a letter to all Amsterdam residents, he writes that he has fulfilled his position with great pleasure for the last eight months and that their support has helped greatly. He also thanks all residents for their involvement, trust in him, support and contradiction over the past seven years. Unfortunately, his doctors can no longer treat his lung cancer, which has metastasised.
For the last few months, the deputy mayor, Kasja Ollongren, has been handling a share of the mayor’s tasks and will now take on everything as the mayor takes sick leave. Van der Laan will spend his remaining time with his family and loved ones.
He signs off his letter to Amsterdam residents with: “Look after our city and each other”.
An event has been organised to thank him for all the work he has done for Amsterdam. On Wednesday 20, at 8pm residents are invited to gather outside the official residence of the mayor of Amsterdam and applaud him.