A’dam mayor elected as chair of city network for democratic values

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has been unanimously elected chair of the Pact of Free Cities, an international network of mayors defending democracy against authoritarianism, the municipality of Amsterdam reports.

The election took place last week during the network’s annual conference in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Pact of Free Cities was founded in 2019 by the mayors of Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw to promote democratic values and share ideas. Amsterdam is a member of the progressive alliance.

Halsema addressed the appointment in a statement: “I am honored and feel very responsible to further strengthen the position and visibility of the pact. In the United States and in Europe, local democracy is increasingly under pressure.”

She added: “In recent years, mayors have been prosecuted and imprisoned, like our colleague İmamoğlu in Istanbul. Cities are safe havens for debate and protest, places where people can develop freely, and as a pact, we want to protect and further develop that position.”

The conference focused on formalizing the network, strengthening international cooperation, and expanding membership. Ten U.S. cities joined this week: Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Oklahoma, San Antonio, San Diego, Seattle, Montgomery, and Beaverton.

The Pact of Free Cities now includes 50 cities. The annual meeting is scheduled to take place in Amsterdam next year.

The network has previously supported member cities facing political pressure, including standing with Budapest during last year’s Pride event banned by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Halsema participated in that Budapest Pride march.