Mayor of The Hague

Mayor of The Hague
Post	Mayor
Body	The Hague
Native name	Burgemeester van Den Haag
Insigniacaption	Coat of arms of The Hague
Incumbent	Jan van Zanen
Incumbentsince	1 July 2020
Department	Municipality of The Hague
Style	His/Her Honour
Residence	The Hague
Appointer	The Crown
Termlength	6 years
Formation	1816
Inaugural	Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (as Pensionary of Delft and The Hague)

Contents

History
Appointment and role
List of mayors
Deputy mayors
Insignia and protocol
See also

Mayor of The Hague is the chief executive and ceremonial leader of the Municipality of The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government and international institutions. Appointed by the Crown, the mayor chairs the municipal executive (college van burgemeester en wethouders) and represents the city both nationally and internationally, notably in relation to the States General, the Supreme Court, and numerous embassies and international courts. The position carries significant responsibility for public order and security, given the city's role as host to the Royal Family at Huis ten Bosch and the International Criminal Court.

History

The modern office evolved from the historical role of the schout in the County of Holland, with The Hague's unique status as a non-chartered city influencing its governance. Key figures in its development include the 17th-century Pensionary Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, who wielded great influence, and the 19th-century Jhr. Jacob van Zuylen van Nijevelt, the first formally appointed mayor under the Municipalities Act. The city's growth as a diplomatic and administrative centre, especially after the Peace Palace opened in 1913 and the establishment of the International Court of Justice, elevated the mayor's international profile. The Second World War tenure of Hendrik van Karnebeek and the post-war reconstruction under Hans Kolfschoten were pivotal periods, with later mayors like Wim Deetman and Jozias van Aartsen navigating the city's role as host to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the Europol headquarters.

Appointment and role

The mayor is appointed by royal decree, following a nomination process by the municipal council and advice from the King's Commissioner of South Holland. As outlined in the Municipalities Act and the Public Administration Act, the mayor's primary legal duties include chairing both the municipal executive and the municipal council, and being responsible for maintaining public order and security. This involves close coordination with the municipal police, the Public Prosecution Service, and the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism, especially for events involving the States General, the International Criminal Court, or the Royal Family. The mayor also serves as the city's principal representative to the national government, the diplomatic community in the Archipelbuurt, and global bodies like the United Nations.

List of mayors

Since the office's formal establishment in 1816, notable mayors have included Jhr. Jacob van Zuylen van Nijevelt (1816–1847), James Loudon (1879–1893), and the interwar mayor H.A. van Karnebeek (1914–1927). Post-1945, key officeholders were Hans Kolfschoten (1956–1976), who oversaw major urban development, and Wim Deetman (1996–2008), a former Speaker of the House. More recent mayors include Jozias van Aartsen (2008–2017), a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the incumbent Jan van Zanen, appointed in 2020, who previously served as mayor of Utrecht and Commissioner of the King in Utrecht province.

Deputy mayors

The mayor is supported by deputy mayors, known as wethouders, who are political appointees from the coalition parties in the municipal council. They form the municipal executive (college van B&W) and are each assigned specific portfolios, such as urban planning, sustainability, finance, or social affairs. Prominent past deputy mayors include Rabbi Lody van de Kamp and Marnix Norder, the latter serving as acting mayor before the appointment of Jan van Zanen. Their work is coordinated through the City Hall and involves implementing council policies, managing departments like Haaglanden region, and engaging with districts such as Scheveningen and Segbroek.

Insignia and protocol

The primary insignia of office is the chain of office, featuring the city's coat of arms, which includes a stork holding an eel. The mayor is entitled to the honorific "His/Her Honour" and presides over civic ceremonies at landmarks like the Knight's Hall, the Peace Palace, and Noordeinde Palace. Key protocol duties include receiving foreign heads of state and government officials, hosting events for the diplomatic corps, and participating in state occasions involving King Willem-Alexander and the States General. The mayor's official residence has historically been in the Zorgvliet area, and the role involves close ceremonial ties with institutions like the Hague Academic Coalition and the Prinsjesdag celebrations.