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Amersfoort Mayor Lucas Bolsius Extends Medical Leave Through Christmas Recess

Deputy mayors now oversee a fraught asylum-site process as the council prepares to debate next steps under heightened public scrutiny.

Overview

  • Bolsius formally notified the provincial commissioner that he will focus on treatment and recovery and remain off duty until after the Christmas recess.
  • He fell ill during the summer recess and was diagnosed with a severe pneumonia.
  • Deputy mayors have assumed his duties, with loco-mayor Micheline Paffen-Zeenni standing in at meetings and acknowledging the municipality mishandled parts of the process.
  • A council debate on asylum reception is scheduled, with both supporters and opponents registered to demonstrate as the city coordinates with organizers and declines to detail any extra security steps.
  • Police recently arrested a 35-year-old resident on suspicion of threatening the mayor over the reception plans, following protests that prompted the withdrawal of proposed sites including Vathorst.