English Election Debate

11-Mar-2026 | TU Delft, the Aula

About the event

Delft is home to a large and diverse international community. What many do not realise is that internationals are often eligible to vote in the municipal elections of March 18th.

Join our English Election Debate on Wednesday, March 11th!

To guide you through the landscape of local politics, the six largest parties in Delft have been invited to present their views in a debate. The event will be held entirely in English. Naturally, Dutch-speaking attendees are also welcome.

The evening kicks off with an informative session - a refresher for those who may have forgotten how it works, or an introduction for voters unfamiliar with the Dutch system. The session will explain how the Delft City Council operates, why local politics has a direct impact on daily life, and how the voting process works.

Subsequently, the politicians will debate each other. The discussion will focus on themes that directly impact the international community in the city, including housing shortages, innovation, inclusion, and sustainability.

The initiative stems from a group of students and staff members who want to bridge the gap between local politics and the (international) residents. “We are looking forward to this very first English debate. We may be 'techies', but local politics affects us too,” says the organisation.

Who can vote?

As usual - all Dutch citizens 18 years old or above can vote during the elections. However, for the municipality elections also many internationals are eligible to vote! You can vote in your own municipality if:

• You're above 18, a citizen of a European country ánd registered in a Dutch municipality

• You're above 18, a non-European citizen and have lived in the Netherlands for five consecutive years on February 8th

Featured speakers

Program

Location

TU Delft, The Aula | Lecture hall B

Mekelweg 5, Delft