With three seats, Green+ became the largest party of the past student elections. AKKUraatd gave up two seats, while both the Knokpartij and ISEC made their way onto the University Student Council (USR). The election’s main losers were the participational bodies in general, as the turnout for these elections was the lowest in years.

The mood at USR newcomer Green+ is elated, party leader Kjeld Bloemendal says with a big smile. ‘This is a clear signal that students care about sustainability. The university will need to put in the work to create a more sustainable and inclusive campus.’

Party member Rebecca van Eijden confesses that the victory came as a surprise to Green+ as well. ‘We didn’t expect this. But we did a lot of campaigning this past week, and apparently, the issues we wish to address are very important to students.’

Green+ acquired three seats on the council, while AKKUraatd and the Knokpartij each got two seats. ISEC will also be joining the USR with one seat.

‘Very proud’

The Knokpartij—like ISEC and Green+ a newcomer to the elections—managed to win two seats. ‘I was honestly prepared for the worst; I didn’t expect such a positive outcome at all’, according to party leader Tom Steenblok. ‘I’m very much looking forward to working with the other parties to make all of our programmes a reality in the USR.’

A bit up ahead, ISEC’s Parker Winkel is still reeling from the results. ‘I’m very proud’, he says. ‘We’re a very small party with no budget to speak of, and we put an inordinate amount of time and effort into this. I’m very happy that we managed to acquire a seat.’

‘The turnout rate is the most painful part’

AKKUraatd, who have consistently won four seats for the previous few years (every time, the other four seats went to asap, who have since disbanded, eds.), are licking their electoral wounds. ‘It’s a real shame’, according to Zino Duckers. ‘We had hoped to come out on top again.’

Duckers is uncertain about what the loss can be attributed to. ‘We did have trouble in filling up our list; that may have contributed.’

14 per cent

This year’s turnout rate is the lowest it’s been in years at 14 per cent. To contrast: last year, 27 per cent of students cast their votes for the USR election.

‘The turnout rate is the most painful part’, Duckers states. But he does see a silver lining. ‘From a democratic point of view, it’s good that there are now four parties that students can choose from. It’s just a shame it came at our expense.’

Translated by Jasper Pesch