Party for the Animals

Take a stand on March 18. For animals. For people. For yourself. For our children and grandchildren. For the planet. 

Our local lead candidate, Kirsten Schuil, has presented the Party for the Animals’ election manifesto: Naturally.

With this manifesto, the party calls for fundamental changes in Leiden’s local policy: no to animal suffering, yes to animal rights; no to pollution, yes to nature; no to exclusion, yes to living together.

Schuil: "Leiden stands at a crossroads. In a time of climate change, biodiversity loss and growing inequality, half measures are not an option. The Party for the Animals is the greenest and most courageous choice for our city."

We stand up for the most vulnerable – animals, nature and people – and in doing so, we are building a just and healthy future. Animal welfare is taken into account in every decision, from building projects to neighbourhood parks. We choose clean air, clean water and greater biodiversity. We choose to radically make our city more green. We choose pleasant and affordable housing, less vacancy and greater liveability.

We make climate action achievable: support for insulating homes, greening neighbourhoods and switching to clean energy, with room for resident-led initiatives, and less waste through reuse and repair.

The city belongs to all of us. We combat discrimination and make Leiden safe for everyone. Plans are developed with residents – with an eye to future generations.

Vote Party for the Animals. For a green, socially just and future-proof Leiden. Naturally.

The Party for the Animals (Partij voor de Dieren) has been the green anchor in the Leiden city for the past 16 years, at this moment with 4 seats in the city council. We have a great list of candidates, ranging from experienced council members to new political talents. In the coming 4 years we will once again fully commit to making Leiden more green, animal-friendly and socially just. With your support on March 18, we can!

A selection of our key priorities

• Animal welfare is considered in every decision: from building projects to public parks.
• Full support for animal rescue: from the animal ambulance and animal shelter to citizen initiatives such as the toad patrol and the hedgehog rescue group.
• We will design Leiden to be animal-friendly: with hedgehog highways, amphibian stairways, quiet zones, wildlife-friendly quays and clean canals.
• No animal should suffer because of financial hardship: pet food banks and support with veterinary costs will help residents on low incomes.
• Leading by example: the municipality will choose plant-based and animal testing–free options, showing how things can be done differently.

A selection of our key priorities

• Rights for Nature: Nature will be given a voice in policy and decision-making.
• Stop cutting down trees! We will provide much stronger protection for trees, allow them to grow old, and plant many more. With a Leiden Tree Vision 2050, we will take into account the changing climate and ensure sufficient space for trees to grow.
• Radical greening: No cosmetic greenery in planters, but real nature. A green standard with a minimum level of green space will be introduced for every neighbourhood. Every resident will have a view of greenery and a park within walking distance.
• Room for wild nature: Pavement plants and spontaneous vegetation are heat-resistant, resilient, and of great value to insects. They will be given more space to grow and flourish.
• Clean water: Canals and waterways will become healthy ecosystems, with clean water, nature-friendly banks and green quays.

A selection of our key priorities

• Leiden will become fossil-free: No more public funds will go to polluting companies or fossil-based heating. We choose truly clean energy. Every neighbourhood will receive a fair climate plan, with room for resident-led initiatives.
• Affordable sustainability for all: No one will be left out in the cold. Everyone will receive support to insulate their homes, green their surroundings and switch to clean energy.
• Reduce, reduce, reduce: What we don’t use, we don’t need to generate.
• We break with the throwaway economy: We fully commit to strategies like repair, re-use, reduce, and recycle.
• Tackling the climate crisis with knife and fork: The municipality will develop a food policy centred on the right to organic and plant-based food, and on strengthening the position of sustainable, organic and animal-friendly farmers.

A selection of our key priorities

• Everyone must be able to safely be themselves. We will take firm action against violence, racism and discrimination.
• Leiden decides together: plans are developed with and by residents. Animals, nature and future generations will also be given a voice.
• Structural support for those standing up for equal rights: Leiden will make ongoing funding available to local organisations and initiatives that advocate for marginalised groups, including LGBTQIA+ people.
• A generous welcome for people seeking refuge: We will provide safe, small-scale accommodation across the municipality and support refugees in participating fully in society.
• Leiden strengthens social cohesion: differences should foster understanding, not division. The municipality will invest in youth centres, community centres, neighbourhood hubs and meeting places.

A selection of our key priorities

• Housing is a right, not a profit model: Homes are for living in, not for making money. Leiden chooses affordable housing and will crack down on exploitative landlords.
• Sustainable construction: We build in ways that include nature, are energy-efficient and circular. Vacant buildings will be made suitable for housing, and older residents will be supported in moving to more appropriate homes. We will turn the Wernink site into a model of a green, healthy neighbourhood.
• We build smart – not overcrowded: We will add housing while preserving green space and quality of life for people and animals.
• Living together, sharing fairly: Leiden will create space for cooperative housing models. Students and first-time buyers will also be given fair opportunities.
• No one forced to sleep outside: Leiden will provide shelter with privacy and help homeless people quickly access safe housing.