Local election follow-up: The high-tech city of Eindhoven is experiencing rapid growth
Eindhoven is preparing for local council elections on March 18 as rapid economic growth and a rising international population dominate the political debate. The city, home to about 250,000 residents, has more than half of its population born outside the Netherlands.
The technology sector plays a major role in the city’s expansion. Chip machine maker ASML (Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography) recently received approval to build a new campus that is expected to create thousands of jobs, further strengthening Eindhoven’s position as a major European tech hub.
However, rapid growth has also increased pressure on housing and public services. Expats are estimated to buy around 12% of homes in the city, and housing shortages have become the top issue for political parties ahead of the elections.
Parties such as D66 (Democraten 66) support building thousands of new homes each year while welcoming international workers needed for the tech industry. Other parties propose reducing regulations to encourage faster construction or increasing affordable housing for local residents.
Several candidates with international backgrounds are also running, including ميريام فروسي from CDA (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) and تشايتالي سينغوبتا, who say international residents should have a stronger voice in local politics.
With more than 28,000 foreign-born voters eligible to vote, the city is encouraging participation by providing election information in both English and Dutch before the March 18 vote.