Ukrainian elected to Dordrecht City Council in Netherlands

Ukrainian Vita Kovalenko has been elected to Dordrecht City Council, becoming one of the first members of the Ukrainian community to hold local office in the Netherlands.

According to Ukrinform's correspondent in The Hague, Kovalenko, who has lived in the country for nearly 20 years, ran as a candidate for the D66 party and finished third in the vote, securing her council seat.

"When I joined D66, I immediately felt that these were my people – aligned with my values, vision, and aspirations. They are very progressive individuals who defend democracy and personal freedoms," she told Ukrinform.

The newly elected councilor said she plans to focus on integration, local community development, supporting the city of Dordrecht, and providing assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainians living abroad.

Kovalenko began her political journey after actively participating in civic initiatives following the outbreak of Russia's war against Ukraine. She explained that attending numerous meetings with politicians and diplomats, as well as advocating for Ukrainian interests, motivated her to enter politics.

This is the first time a Ukrainian woman has been elected to a local council in the Netherlands.

Photo credit: Vita Kovalenko / Instagram