Public administration student Peter Raaijmakers (21) may become one of the youngest councillors in the Netherlands. After successful elections in the municipality of Sint-Michielsgestel, he was nominated by his party. Despite his age, he feels ready to assume the position.

Although he is still studying for his Master’s in Public Administration at Radboud University, Peter Raaijmakers (21) can now become a councillor. In the municipal elections held in the municipality of Sint-Michielsgestel in Brabant, his party, the Politieke Plaatselijke Alliantie (PPA), did so well that it was able to nominate a second municipal councillor. Raaijmakers was chosen for this position, a move that caused a lot of criticism from other parties. They felt that he was much too young. But Raaijmakers remained calm: ‘I think I’m ready for it.’

Youngest council member in the Netherlands

Whereas many students enter politics after finishing their studies, Raaijmakers did it the other way around. He was chosen as a member of the municipal council when just 17 and he was officially sworn in when he was 18. That made him the youngest council member in the Netherlands. ‘I then decided to study public administration because I was already in politics. I thought it was a good combination.’’ Politics was never really his dream. ‘’But I’ve been active for a number of years now and it’s very satisfying.’

‘I then decided to study public administration because I was already in politics’

So, in addition to his work as a council member, Raaijmakers also studied public administration. ‘As a student, it’s nice to be able to manage your own time’, he said. ‘That will, of course, be different as a councillor. That involves much more time commitment.’ But he’s not worried that his studies will suffer. ‘I’m now studying for my Master’s. That may take a bit longer, but it’s not a problem.’ He also seems unperturbed about his fast climb up the political ladder – he can become one of the youngest councillors ever: ‘If something like that comes your way, you have to make a decision and say to yourself, I’m going to go for it.’

Not in a student room

Raaijmakers knows more students who are politically active. Many of them hold a political position in Nijmegen, but Raaijmakers has never considered that option. ‘I’ve spent all my years as a student living at home; I’m not that interested in student life.’ And that he certainly won’t move into a student room when he’s a councillor – they are expected to live in their municipality – doesn’t bother him. ‘It wasn’t convenient to live in a student room as a council member. And as a municipal councillor, it certainly wouldn’t be.’