By 11:00 AM, 10% of eligible voters in Gorinchem had participated in the city's municipal council re-election. The rerun was scheduled after the previous March election results were voided due to suspicions of voter fraud.
The historic Luilakmarkt, the oldest plant and flower market in the Netherlands, will take place in Haarlem on Friday, May 22nd, featuring over 50 vendors along the Raamvest and Raamsingel. Between 4:00 PM and 2:00 AM, visitors can browse nearly a kilometer of stalls and utilize a free boat transport service for large orders.
The Haarlem city council has approved the sale of its share of the Verweyhal national monument to the Raiola heirs to facilitate a full restoration of the historic building. The renovation, set to begin this year, will transform the site at the Grote Markt into a space featuring a shop and a public green roof terrace.
The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a change to EU electoral law that allows pregnant MEPs to be replaced during their maternity leave. The decision passed with 616 votes in favor and 24 against, ensuring that representatives can maintain their seats while taking time off for childbirth.
Russia, Kazakhstan, and Iraq have announced they will not follow the United Arab Emirates' decision to exit OPEC and OPEC+. The UAE's departure from the oil-producing organizations was announced on Tuesday, though other member nations have confirmed they intend to remain.
New bicycle parking spaces on the south side of Haarlem's Grote Houtstraat will be reduced in size by half after they were deemed too large. Alderman Robbert Berkhout announced the change following criticism, noting that the current layout does not align with the intended vision for the public space.