Amsterdam unveils new coalition, with focus on equal opportunities

Amsterdam’s new coalition administration was formally unveiled on Wednesday morning, pledging to focus on equal opportunities, a sustainable future and responsible growth. ‘The room to manoeuvre is very tight and we have to make choices.’ Among the policy measures unveiled on Wednesday morning were a commitment to invest €60m in shoring up disadvantaged parts of Noord, Nieuw-West and Zuidoost, a decision to build a massive new library complex in Zuidoost rather than in the Zuidas financial district, and a €32 million offensive to improve home insulation. ‘Amsterdam’s property taxes are well below the average in the Netherlands and we are bringing them into line with the other big cities,’ PvdA leader and education chief Marjolein Moorman said. ‘Housing must benefit the entire city,’ said D66 leader Reinier van Dantzig, who will take over the housing portfolio.