Political reporter Madelief van Dongen examines why civil servants in Amsterdam frequently withhold information regarding major issues from Alderman Scholtes. The investigation focuses on the ongoing transparency concerns within the city's political administration.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
During its final budget debate, the Amsterdam city council voted on over one hundred proposals, including the lifting of the outdoor sleeping ban and new plans for tree replanting. The council also moved to increase oversight of Booking.com regarding human rights standards.
The Amsterdam city government has excluded the No Art Festival and the Free Your Mind festival from its 2027 events calendar following a new selection process. An independent committee evaluated applications for popular venues, ultimately favoring other organizers for the limited slots available.
Documentary filmmaker Mijke de Jong spent a year following Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema for the film 'De Burgemeester,' which premieres at IDFA. The documentary captures Halsema's high-pressure work environment during a turbulent 2025, revealing her as an eloquent yet sometimes lonely and impatient leader.
The Amsterdam city council has officially repealed the fine for sleeping in public spaces, codifying a practice that had already been in place since 2025. While the act of sleeping outdoors is no longer punishable, residents can still be fined for causing nuisance or obstructing building entrances. Opposition parties criticized the move, fearing it normalizes homelessness and limits the city's ability to register and manage those living on the streets.
The Amsterdam city council has officially scrapped the local ordinance that allowed fines to be issued for sleeping outdoors. While homelessness itself is no longer punishable, authorities clarified that related nuisances, such as blocking doorways or littering, remain prohibited.
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