DWARS LIMBURG FOR CHANGE: JOOST VERHEGGEN

Change is one of the core values for DWARS. And what better way to bring about change than to take matters into your own hands and stand for election in the municipal elections? DWARS Limburg wants all Dwarse candidate councillors to speak about what they stand for and how they want to achieve it. Today's interview with Max Tollenaar, number 26 for the Roermond city council.

Tell us briefly about yourself.

I am 22, born in Heerlen and went to school in Maastricht. I completed my bachelor in Middelburg after which I came back to Maastricht to do my masters. I will complete this this summer. Furthermore, I find art and culture very important. I have also tried to put this on the agenda as much as possible in the group where I work as a civilian councillor.

How did you end up at DWARS?

I have been involved in politics for a long time. In Middelburg, it was mainly student politics and I was not really involved in the city council. When I returned to Maastricht, my attention was drawn to the possibility of being a citizen councillor. I soon joined GroenLinks and that's also how I got into DWARS.

Why are you running for the municipal elections?

I am a candidate because I think it is important. People complain about young people not being represented in the city council and politics. They say there are only old men in the council. If you keep complaining and do nothing about it, you won't get anywhere. So from me it is partly an ideal and partly bringing the action in. #StemForChange.

What do you want to achieve in the municipal council?

So much! Maastricht needs to make big leaps in several areas. Sustainability, poverty, art and culture are key issues in this. Many people in Maastricht are stuck in the past. They want to hold on to what they have achieved and not look forward enough. “It's always been like this here so it shouldn't be any different.” We need to start turning that around!

Why should we vote for you?

Because it is important to show that you are thinking about who you are voting for. And if you are a young person and a member of DWARS, it is good to send that message.

Dilemma: more arts and culture or more student housing?

Oeh that one is tricky. More incubators and alternately students and artists in there.