During the installation of 23 new councilors in the municipality of Vught, a familiar face came by tonight: that of Albert Verlinde. The showbiz expert pushed the list for the VVD in the November elections, but he got enough preferential votes for a council seat.
Municipal elections were held in Vught because of the split up of the municipality of Haaren. Part of that municipality has been part of Vught since this year. Verlinde lives in Cromvoirt, which already belonged to Vught.
Verlinde received 460 preferential votes, good for third place on the list of the local VVD. “I thought: if so many people cast a preferential vote for you, then you have to respond,” he told Omroep Brabant.
No further ambitions
The theater producer, who was director of Stage Entertainment until December, sees a role for himself as a bridge builder. “I want to ensure that people appreciate each other’s opinions. That you never hold each other personally to account about decisions that are taken. If I am very honest, that has not always gone well in Vught in recent years.”
Verlinde says he has no further political ambitions. “But I am looking forward to this. And I hope they will say afterwards: Albert, that really helped us in the council.”
Due to the corona measures, Verlinde’s appointment went via Zoom. Only the mayor and clerk were in the town hall, all new councilors were at home.