Tholen council member faces backlash over poem targeting mayor

Ruud Cogels, a local council member for Forum voor Democratie (FvD), is facing intense criticism following a poem he posted on social media targeting Tholen Mayor Marleen Sijbers. The poem includes references to the mayor being smeared with black pitch and mentions a public scaffold in Tholen.

During a municipal council meeting, SGP council member Andries de Meyer condemned the text, stating it crossed the line from political criticism into personal intimidation and suggested it referred to public humiliation and violence. Cogels defended the writing as a “satirical, cynical poem” born out of frustration regarding the treatment of a family in Sint-Maartensdijk, though he admitted his choice of words was unwise.

Cogels has not offered a full apology, stating he stands by the intent of his message. His own party leader, Liesje Heuseveldt, has distanced herself from the remarks. Additionally, council member Jan Heshof has ended his professional collaboration with Cogels on a local project, describing the poem as insulting rather than satire.