New Aldermen of Geldrop-Mierlo Introduced

On Monday, June 1, the new alderman candidates were introduced during the city council meeting. Unlike in many other municipalities, three-quarters of the new alderman team are women. Three aldermen are from Geldrop-Mierlo, while one Alderman outside the municipality. The new council will be sworn in on June 15.

The policy framework for the new administration is set out in a comprehensive Council Program, which was drafted by six of the seven political groups in the City Council. This program was presented to Mayor Van Bree this evening and is scheduled for substantive discussion on the agenda on June 15, 2026. The aldermen will be appointed by the four largest political groups in the city council. The candidates for alderman are:

Fiona Bijl (GL/PvdA – PRO)  
Spatial Planning and Housing, Work and Income, Sustainability
Fiona is an independent budget coach and debt counselor. She is also a member of the Provincial Council and served for nine years on the city council in her hometown of Reusel-De Mierden. She previously lived in Geldrop, among other places.

Frans Stravers (DGG)
Finance, Economy, Operations, Neighborhood Development, Digitalization, Grid Congestion
Frans is currently Alderman the Municipal Executive. Prior to that, he served as party leader and council member for 22 years. He lives in Geldrop. He will continue to serve asFirst Deputy Mayor in the new Municipal Executive.

Hanneke Meulendijk-van de Pasch (DPM) 
Mobility, Public Space, Circularity & Environment, Housing, Culture, Gulbergen 
Hanneke is a tax advisor and a member of the executive board at a consulting and accounting firm. She has served on the city council since 2010. She lives in Mierlo, for which she will be responsible for developing the downtown vision.

Mathil Sanders (CDA) 
Health Welfare, WMO, Youth Policy, Inclusion, and Sports
Mathil currently serves as Alderman Affairs on the Municipal Executive. She will continue to fulfill that role in the new Municipal Executive. Before becoming an alderman, she worked as a community nurse. She lives in Geldrop.

The integrity screening of the prospective aldermen has been completed. No objections were raised. The final allocation of portfolios will be determined during the first council meeting. 

 

Photo of the new aldermen outside

From left to right: Mathil Sanders, Fiona Bijl, Hanneke Meulendijk-vd Pasch, Frans Stravers.