Loekie van Maaren-van Balen

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Loekie van Maaren-van Balen, born Louise Bernardina Maria on 9 March 1946 in Wormerveer, is a former Dutch politician who became nationally known as the mayor of Leeuwarden. Wormerveer is now part of the North Holland municipality of Zaanstad.

In the 1970s she taught social science and community work at the Social Academy of The Hague and did community work in Haarlem for Provinciaal Opbouworgaan Haarlem. Her work inspired her to enter politics, and she joined the Labour Party (PvdA) in 1975. In 1978 she became a councillor for Haarlem, and in 1983 she became an alderman there.

In 1991 she applied to be mayor of Weert in Limburg. She is praised for her clear presentation, compassion and firmness.

The mayor’s job in Leeuwarden became available after Haijo Apotheker left to become a minister. Loekie received a call and agreed to consider the position. She wanted a new challenge after eight years as mayor of Weert. At that time unemployment was high, the housing file was outdated, and there were internal difficulties after a large reorganization. The Leeuwarden Confidence Commission, led by Peter den Oudsten (then mayor of Enschede), unanimously chose her as the best candidate for mayor.