The Winterswijk municipal council has decided to hold meetings behind closed doors due to ‘serious threats’ impacting public safety. Although specifics about the threats remain unclear, they may be linked to plans for a controversial 22-hectare business park, which has faced opposition from local residents concerned about environmental impacts. The council emphasized the importance of a safe democratic process and condemned any form of aggression against public officials. This trend of threats against local politicians has raised alarms about the state of public discourse and governance in the region.