Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
EU agrees on return policy, including ‘return hubs’
The European Parliament, the European Commission, and EU member states have reached a provisional agreement on a new regulation for the return of rejected asylum seekers. The compromise, which include...
Haarlem must house 283 more status holders this year
The municipality of Haarlem has provided housing for 91 status holders since the beginning of this year. According to figures from the Ministries of the Interior and Justice, the city is required to a...
Police: Officer unaware woman was pregnant during arrest
A police officer who pulled a pregnant woman to the ground during an arrest at an asylum seeker center in Zeist stated he was unaware of her pregnancy. The police reported that the officer would have ...
Farewell after twelve years in the eye of the storm as Zandvoort alderman. Gert-Jan Bluijs: ‘Above all, you must be able to look ahead’
Gert-Jan Bluijs is stepping down as an alderman in Zandvoort after twelve years in the position and sixteen years as a council member. Known as "the treasurer," his departure marks the end of a long e...
Keti Koti month begins with memorial march: "Have more love and understanding for each other"
Dozens of people participated in the 'Memre Waka' commemorative walk through Amsterdam's city center to mark the start of Keti Koti month. The procession visited historical sites linked to the slave t...
Keti Koti month kicks off with memorial march: 'Have more love and understanding for each other'
The Keti Koti month began with 'Memre Waka,' a commemorative walk through Amsterdam's city center past historical sites linked to the slave trade. Participants marched to the Mayor's residence to emph...
Trump: Called Israel and Hezbollah, attacks will stop
Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and representatives of Hezbollah to discuss a cessation of hostilities. He claims that Hezbolla...
Citizens' initiatives soon easier to arrange in North Holland
The province of North Holland is lowering the required number of signatures for citizen initiatives from 5,000 to 1,500. This change aims to make it easier for residents to place specific topics on th...
Emergency departments to receive partially fixed budget of 4.6 million from 2027
Starting in 2027, emergency departments will receive a partial fixed budget of approximately 4.6 million euros to supplement current patient-based funding. This shift in the Dutch healthcare system ai...
Dog handler again at center of outcry over violent police action: what is going on?
Recent videos showing police dog handlers using force at an asylum seekers center near Soesterberg and in Utrecht have sparked public outrage. These incidents have raised questions about the conduct a...
Iranian Guard threatens ‘new fronts’ over Lebanon conflict
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has threatened to open 'new fronts' in response to the Israeli military offensive in Lebanon. Iranian state television reported that the Guard views the crossing of 're...
EU wants to exclude US tech companies from major IT contracts
The European Union is planning to introduce stricter regulations for large government digital contracts. These rules could limit the ability of major American technology companies, such as Amazon, Mic...
Court rules in favor of municipality in wind turbine dispute with province
The court has ruled in favor of the municipality of Amsterdam in its dispute with the province of Noord-Holland over the construction of three wind turbines at the Noorder IJplas. The judge determined...
Court rules in favor of municipality in wind turbine dispute with province
A Dutch court has ruled in favor of the municipality of Amsterdam in a legal dispute with the province of Noord-Holland regarding the installation of three wind turbines at Noorder IJplas. The court f...
Trump: Iran did not inform us about suspending talks
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran did not inform the United States about its decision to suspend diplomatic consultations. Trump clarified to NBC News that while the blockade against Iran w...
Sterk wants young people who stop eating to stay out of hospices
Dutch Youth Minister Mirjam Sterk argues that young people who stop eating and drinking to end their lives should not be admitted to hospices. She calls for earlier and more appropriate care to preven...
Merz seeks to build better ties with Trump alongside European leaders
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to work with other European leaders to improve relations with Donald Trump ahead of the NATO summit in July. A meeting to discuss this cooperation is reportedly ...
Kenyans protest against American Ebola center
Residents of Nanyuki, Kenya, held a demonstration to protest the planned construction of an American quarantine center for individuals exposed to the Ebola virus. While official reports counted around...
First Gazans with visas on their way to the Netherlands
The first two of nearly fifty Palestinians from Gaza with study or work visas are currently traveling to the Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed their departure, though the ti...
Former D66 leader Meryem Çimen becomes Haarlem alderman: 'Wants to contribute to a city where you can be yourself'
Former D66 leader Meryem Çimen and Bas van Leeuwen have been selected as the new D66 aldermen for Haarlem's incoming city government in June. The local D66 council members described the appointments ...
North Holland to implement more active rainbow policy
The province of North Holland is launching a more active policy to support the LGBTQIA+ community in partnership with local municipalities and interest groups. The initiative includes the creation of ...
Former garage on De Wittenkade squatted
A former garage building on De Wittenkade in Amsterdam West has been occupied by squatters who claim to have moved in around May 23. The occupants announced the action recently to establish residentia...
Asylum seekers from Ter Apel to be sheltered in 2e Exloërmond over coming nights
Asylum seekers from the Ter Apel registration center will be temporarily sheltered for the next three nights in a sports hall in 2e Exloërmond. The municipality of Borger-Odoorn has set up 150 sleepi...
Why most fountains in Amsterdam are still not working
Netherlands halts deportations to Lebanon for next six months
The Dutch government has announced a six-month suspension of deportations to Lebanon following the Israeli invasion of the country. Minister for Asylum and Migration Bart van den Brink stated that dec...
Dara Bazelet wrote a play about the war in Gaza, but: ‘The actors found it problematic that we viewed it from the perspective of Israeli characters’
Residents flee Beirut fearing Israeli attacks
Residents of southern Beirut are fleeing their homes due to the threat of Israeli attacks. The Lebanese army has deployed troops to manage traffic as people evacuate the suburbs of the capital.
Mayor allowed to keep IJmuiden home targeted by gunfire closed for longer: 'No urgent interest for residents'
A Haarlem court has ruled that Mayor Frank Dales of Velsen was justified in extending the closure of a home in IJmuiden that had been targeted in multiple shootings. The residents' legal challenge was...
Defence to reach agreement with Court of Audit on procurement justification
The Dutch Ministry of Defence aims to reach an agreement with the Court of Audit regarding the justification of its procurement spending for military expansion. This follows a report from the Court of...
British government releases new 'Mandelson Files'
The British government has released a new set of internal documents regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States. The records, which include emails and text messages, are...