haarlemsdagbladMar 3, 2026, 18:00

Party for the Animals new in Castricum, opposes building on every corner: 'When space is gone, it’s gone. We’re crazy if we don’t take nature into account'

The Partij voor de Dieren is participating in the municipal elections in Castricum for the first time, focusing on nature conservation and animal welfare. The party advocates for limiting urban development to protect the environment and used creative campaign posters to draw attention to local wildlife.

Politics Netherlands

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by haarlemsdagblad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Documentary maker Mijke de Jong followed Femke Halsema for a year as mayor: I was not out to catch her out

Documentary filmmaker Mijke de Jong spent a year following Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema for her project titled De burgemeester. The documentary explores the daily responsibilities and public scrutiny faced by the mayor, addressing themes like accessibility and media criticism.

Red Line demonstration in Amsterdam: ‘Israel is not a normal country and does not do normal things’

Human rights organizations held their fourth demonstration in Amsterdam to urge the Netherlands to take a stronger stance against the violence in Gaza. Activists from groups like The Rights Forum criticized Israel's actions, calling for urgent government intervention in the conflict.

Halsema calls homeless shelters a magnet: does repealing the outdoor sleeping ban attract homeless people to Amsterdam?

The Amsterdam city council is set to decide on Wednesday whether to abolish the local ban on sleeping outdoors. The debate centers on a disagreement between parties advocating for more humane policies and those who fear the change will attract more homeless people to the city.

Child of married couple no longer automatically takes father’s surname: ‘Important victory for women’

The Dutch government has proposed a new law that prevents the automatic assignment of a father's surname when parents cannot agree on a name for their child. Instead, children will receive both parents' surnames in alphabetical order, a move intended to promote gender equality and address potential power imbalances in abusive relationships.

Court identifies irregularities in benefit arrears payments

A Dutch court has criticized the common practice where benefit recipients receive unexpected tax bills due to incorrect wage tax withholding by agencies like the UWV. The court is now urging lawmakers and agencies to reform these processes, arguing that administrative errors should be resolved between government bodies rather than at the expense of citizens.