Local parties and national parties: what is the difference?

Many people think politics happens mostly in The Hague. But in your municipality, choices are made every day that you notice directly. For example: housing, safety, schools, help for residents and what happens in your neighbourhood. That is why it is good to know what parties there are and how they work.

A local party exists only in a municipality. Sometimes such a party exists in a few municipalities. Local parties focus mainly on what is going on in your town or village. They do not have a national department and they do not participate in elections for the

Local parties often talk about specific issues, such as housing in the neighbourhood, traffic safety, trash, sports, youth, and neighbourhood amenities.

National parties usually participate in several elections. For example: municipal elections, as well as provincial, national and European elections.

National parties usually have a clear vision and plans for major issues that affect the entire country. For example: housing, care, education, work, security, climate and migration. So they also choose themes and make proposals, but at national level.

In your municipality, a national party often has a local department. That means they also have local candidates. Those candidates are then on the list for the

The biggest difference is in the way a party is organised. A local party works only in your municipality and focuses mainly on local problems. A national party is part of a larger organisation and has plans for the entire country. This also makes it easier for a national party to cooperate with people in the province or in The Hague.

Still, it is important to know: in the municipal council, it is always about your municipality. So even a national party has to make local choices there.

The municipality decides many issues for itself. But that does not mean the municipality can decide everything. The municipality must also follow rules set by the national government. Sometimes the municipality is given a task by politicians in The Hague and the municipality must carry it out.

You see this for example in topics such as work, healthcare, housing and assistance to residents. The

The

The municipality, the province and The Hague are therefore interrelated. They do not do the same thing, but they influence each other.

A commissioner helps a party work in the municiapl council. For example, they read municipal council plans and help to understand them. They think about positions and prepare meetings.

In many municipalities, commissioners are also allowed to participate in committee meetings. These are meetings where plans are first discussed before the municiapl council makes a decision.

A council member is someone elected by residents. Council members sit on the municipal council and help decide on important issues. They vote on plans of the municipality, control the work of the

Council members also talk to residents, organisations and groups in the city. In this way, they try to understand what is going on. Then they make decisions on behalf of residents.

In short: local parties work only in your municipality and focus on your neighbourhood. National parties have plans for the whole country, but also make local choices in the municipal council.

Do you want to participate? Then start by getting to know parties and join the one that suits you best. Then you can start, for example, as a commissioner and later perhaps become a council member.