Amsterdam coalition allegedly to drop plan for large erotic center in Amsterdam-Zuid

The controversial planned large erotic center in Amsterdam-Zuid will allegedly not be included in the coalition agreement being prepared by PRO Amsterdam (previously GroenLinks-PvdA) and D66, multiple sources reportedly told Het Parool.

The exclusion ends a prominent project that had been part of the 2022 coalition agreements and was intended to relocate sex work away from central Amsterdam to reduce pressure on the Red Light District. For years, the proposal was a visible and politically sensitive dossier under Mayor Femke Halsema.

The plan, however, stalled repeatedly. Residents mounted strong opposition to proposed locations, legal procedures dragged on, and political backing steadily weakened over time.

D66 further shifted its position last year in its election manifesto, distancing itself from a single large center near the RAI in Amsterdam-Zuid. Instead, the party advocated exploring multiple smaller-scale locations across the city.

That approach is now reflected in the current draft coalition agreement. PRO Amsterdam and D66 are continuing to search for small-scale locations aimed at easing pressure on the city center and the Red Light District, rather than pursuing one centralized facility.

Halsema had previously expressed skepticism about such a decentralized model, warning it could trigger resistance in multiple neighborhoods and be difficult to implement both financially and practically.

In 2023, opposition to Amsterdam’s erotic center plans intensified into a broad, coordinated backlash from business groups, residents, and political actors. The Amsterdam branch of the hospitality association KHN joined protests against closing window brothels in the Red Light District and relocating sex work to an Erotic Center, saying catering businesses in the area were deeply concerned. Large public protests were held against the center, with many sex workers taking part.

After months of protests and meetings with Mayor Femke Halsema, the political leadership of Amsterdam-Zuid formally told the mayor and city council it firmly opposed any erotic center in the shortlisted Zuid locations, including sites near the RAI, and also rejected a proposed site in Amsterdam-Noord. Later, in June, parties and organizations—including business groups, residents’ associations, AFC, ROC Amsterdam, VNO-NCW West, and others—united in a petition campaign against the plan, arguing the city should abandon the project and instead invest in improving the Red Light District.