Why Student Voices Matter – AUFP’s Information Session on the 2026 Municipality Elections

By Elea Jürß and Milar Zaghal

At 12:50, on the 12th of March, crowds of students left behind their lunches and squeezed onto the red couches on the third floor of the AB. AU Free Palestine (AUFP) was hosting an information session on the 2026 Amsterdam Municipality elections.

After providing some general information, AUFP introduced their guests from De Vonk and BIJ1. The left-wing minority parties were represented by Teun Otte (BIJ1), Freya Chiappino, Beer Breederveld, and Justin Ait Abdesselam (DeVonk).

“Municipal elections can be especially challenging to navigate for those unfamiliar with the Dutch democratic system,” says an AUFP member. Otte recalls past conversations with students: “They didn’t know who to turn to, and that made them very eligible to get fucked over.”

The information session resembled a casual discussion between students and party representatives. “We are trying to bridge the gap between activism and politics, because we see no difference. Every action in activism is trying to fix an issue that politics couldn’t,” says Chiappino.

Both AUFP and the politicians emphasised that international students should take their votes seriously. “Especially internationals who do not vote in the elections are affected by the choices of the municipality. Do you know who will be voting? Your boss, your landlord, the people who relax in their houseboats on the Amstel. Their voice will count and affect you,” says Otte.

With no explicit bias towards any particular organisation, AUFP encouraged students to critically reflect on programmes provided by political parties. “It’s easy to feel like the national policies of these parties reflect what they will do in the municipalities. But it is important to know what they will actually do for Amsterdam,” says an AUFP member.

First-year Social Sciences student Frankie Baum came to an unexpected revelation through the discussion.“I left disappointed in the current state of Amsterdam, but hopeful for better representation in the upcoming elections,” She says.

Some students felt unsatisfied with the variety of representation. “I feel like next time there could be a greater representation of all other political parties, just so there can be an entirely objective standpoint”, states Laila Bacha, a Humanities first-year student. 

Misha Velthuis, a Science lecturer at AUC, also attended the info session. He recalled students’ right to utilise these spaces to mobilise students to take action. Velthuis concludes: “These initiatives are critical not just for the sake of understanding but also for the sake of taking action.”