Tofik Dibi is once again causing debate in the Amsterdam city council, now with fake stickers from VVD, BBB and CDA

The reason is stickers that Tofik Dibi co-designed in the house styles of VVD, CDA and BBB respectively and which he shares on Twitter. The stickers express harsh criticism of the parties regarding their position regarding the war in Gaza. For example, the VVD states: ‘Squatting is theft. Except in Palestine.’ On a CDA sticker: ‘Standards. Values. Children Bomb.’

It was JA21 faction leader Kevin Kreuger who raised the subject in the city council on Wednesday. He wanted to know from Alderman Hester van Buren (Personnel Affairs) whether it is ‘normal behavior’ for a civil servant to put parties in the spotlight in this way. “Does this fall within the code of conduct? Is a civil servant allowed to make fake pamphlets of political parties?”

Van Buren did not want to say whether Dibi’s action falls within the code of conduct, but she did acknowledge that she is having ‘discussions about this’. About the stickers, she said that they are not her type of humor, but that it was explained to her as satire. “I don’t think it’s wise, I wouldn’t do it and it doesn’t contribute anything to the inclusive city. But it is always difficult to judge whether someone is crossing the line.”

Raising political bells

It is not the first time that Dibi’s actions have been discussed in the municipal council. A month ago it was also Kreuger who asked questions about his performance. At the time he received little support from other parties in the council, but this time was different. VVD faction leader Daan Wijnants wanted to know whether Van Buren also experiences discomfort and whether or not Dibi’s tweets damage the ‘neutrality of the government’.

CDA faction leader Rogier Havelaar agreed. He said he found it difficult that Dibi is active on social media as an opinion maker, but cannot be held politically accountable because he is a civil servant. Havelaar: “This is making political noises. And how does distributing stickers about the CDA not go against the municipality’s policy? That goes against the connection that the council strives for and damages the city.”

Van Buren acknowledged that he felt Wijnants’ discomfort, but said that it was not just about this ‘specific official’. And Van Buren reiterated, not for the first time, that she is having discussions about this ‘internally’. “But I’m not going to publicly judge a specific official. That does not contribute to a safe working environment, for which I am also responsible.”

Halsema allows debate

The council is struggling with the question of how to deal with discussions about statements made by civil servants. During the previous debate about Dibi, Kune Burgers, as JA21 council chairman, deprived Kreuger of the floor and progressive parties stood up for Dibi. Burgers also said at the time that it was not the intention to talk about individual civil servants in the council chamber.

Nilab Ahmadi (Lijst Ahmadi-Veldhuyzen) also pointed this out on Wednesday, explicitly stating that it is often about Dibi. “A limit must be drawn as to how often someone who has a certain opinion is discussed.”

Mayor Femke Halsema gave council members more space on Wednesday than Citizens did six weeks ago. She stated that Dibi is a civil servant who decides to actively participate in the public debate, but that his privacy must be protected. That is why his name could not be mentioned.

“This opinion maker is also a civil servant,” Halsema said. “Since he is a civil servant, the protection we offer to all civil servants applies. At the same time, I would like to point out that if a civil servant makes public statements, they can be discussed.”

In contrast to previous times, she offered parties the opportunity to debate the case, even though no one mentioned Dibi’s name. Dibi himself could not be reached for comment.

About the authors: David Hielkema and Tim Wagemakers write about Amsterdam politics. Tips or comments? [email protected].