Eating ban in Amsterdam city council: no more snacking during long meetings | Domestic

A large prohibition sign points out the ban to Amsterdam politicians. That would have been the case for some time, but from now on the intention is that they really adhere to it. Because the politicians at the Stopera have not done that until now.

In the coffee room right next to the council chamber you will find an abundance of delicacies during council days. From cheese sticks, cookies and donuts, to vegan soup, chips and snack vegetables with hummus dip.

Schransen

But the presidium, the board of the municipal council, has decided that it does not look good if council members are skipping during debates. It is said that this is the heart of democracy in the capital.

“We want to maintain decorum in the council chamber,” says Kune Burgers, chairman of the presidium. “It does not come across well to visitors, Amsterdam residents watching at home and the other council members if food is eaten during the deliberations.”

Directive

Not everyone adhered to the ban on Wednesday. Anke Bakker, leader of the Party for the Animals, ate a mandarin orange without embarrassment. “It’s more of a guideline, I think,” she says. “That you judge for yourself when it still seems tasty.”