Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Increased enforcement in Westerpark after reports of spitting and gel blaster shootings
Police have increased patrols and enforcement in Amsterdam's Westerpark following reports of women being harassed by spitting and shot with gelblasters. Local authorities are also implementing educati...
Solar farms in Haarlemmermeer allowed to stay five years longer
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer has extended the maximum lifespan of solar parks from 25 to 30 years. Local officials hope this extension will improve the financial viability of solar energy projec...
Uganda closes border with Congo due to Ebola outbreak
Uganda has closed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo to prevent the further spread of an Ebola outbreak. The decision follows reports of over 900 suspected cases and 220 deaths in Congo,...
Gerard Metselaar potential partner in new Bloemendaal coalition; Zelfstandig Bloemendaal and Liberaal Bloemendaal also still in the running
The VVD, D66, and CDA parties in Bloemendaal have reached a coalition agreement, allowing the existing governing alliance to continue. Independent councilor Gerard Metselaar and the groups Zelfstandig...
Almost 16,000 Amsterdam social housing units face mold issues, but fixing them is harder than expected
These are the three possible names for the neighborhood between Ouderkerk aan de Amstel and Duivendrecht
Israel orders evacuation of south Lebanese city Tyre
The Israeli military has ordered the evacuation of the South Lebanese city of Tyre and its surrounding areas on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the military announced that the order precedes planned str...
D66 nominates Ivor Balke as new candidate alderman
D66 has nominated Ivor Balke as the new candidate for alderman in Castricum, replacing Erik Hordijk who withdrew from the position a month ago. The local coalition, consisting of Lokaal Vitaal, VVD, a...
No fine for Fletcher for now over asylum reception in Epe hotel
The municipality of Epe has decided not to fine the Fletcher hotel chain for continuing to house asylum seekers past the May 26 deadline. Although the deadline was missed, the municipality is allowing...
Help shape the future of hospitality in the Red Light District
The city of Amsterdam is developing a future plan for the catering industry in the Wallen district to ensure the area remains attractive for local residents. The initiative encourages public participa...
Former court employee sentenced to four years for selling data
A former employee of the Amsterdam district court has been sentenced to four years in prison, with one year suspended, for selling confidential data from judicial systems. The court also convicted the...
No money for public toilets in Velsen despite Accessibility Platform request
The municipality of Velsen has announced it lacks the budget to install 24-hour public toilets. This decision comes despite formal requests for increased accessibility from the Platform Accessibility ...
Dutch minehunter en route for possible deployment in Hormuz
A Dutch minehunter is departing for a NATO deployment in the Mediterranean Sea to be positioned for a potential mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, preparations are being made to send a spe...
Parliament wants pubs to show World Cup matches for free
A majority of the Dutch House of Representatives wants the public broadcaster NOS to allow hospitality entrepreneurs to screen World Cup matches of the Dutch national team for free. The proposal sugge...
Psychiatric treatment for former Heemskerk resident extended by another two years
The court in Haarlem has extended the involuntary psychiatric treatment (TBS) of a 40-year-old man for an additional two years. The individual, a former resident of Heemskerk, has already spent fourte...
Dam Square again the scene of state visit, this time German President visits
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will begin a state visit to the Netherlands on June 9, starting with a ceremonial welcome on Amsterdam's Dam Square by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima....
Province of Groningen commemorates Keti Koti with adjusted flag protocol
Groningen province has announced it will officially fly its flag on Ketikoti to commemorate the abolition of slavery. It becomes the third Dutch province to adopt this flag protocol, following similar...
Holocaust Museum and ICC on itinerary for Steinmeier state visit
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife will conduct a state visit to the Netherlands from June 9 to 11. Accompanied by the Dutch royal couple, the program includes visits to the Nationa...
Frustration in Parliament over costly and delayed ERTMS rail system
The Dutch House of Representatives expressed frustration on Wednesday over the significant costs and delays associated with the new ERTMS rail safety system. A recent report suggests the project could...
Blocked DigiD takeover poorly received; US ambassador in frantic talks with Washington: ‘We are concerned’
U.S. Ambassador Joseph Popolo is in urgent consultations with Washington after the Dutch government blocked the acquisition of the company behind DigiD by the American firm Kyndryl. Popolo expressed c...
Health Council: No meningococcal B vaccine in national program
The Dutch Health Council has advised Health Minister Sophie Hermans against including the meningococcal B vaccine in the National Vaccination Program. The council concluded that the benefits of the va...
Protesters removed from council chamber after displaying pro-Hamas banner: Halsema calls it an ‘absolute disgrace’
Haarlem municipality to co-fund TommyTomato lunch packages via special arrangement: 'Great example of impact entrepreneurship'
The municipality of Haarlem will support the local vegetable lunch delivery service TommyTomato using a social investment fund to bypass state aid restrictions. Alderman Diana van Loenen confirmed thi...
Brussels takes new measures to improve humanitarian aid
The European Commission is implementing new measures to strengthen EU humanitarian aid in response to record-high global needs. While other major donors have reduced their contributions, the EU pledge...
District chairs recommend keeping three executive board members per district
District chairs in Amsterdam have written to the city council advising against reducing the number of daily board members per district from three to two. They argue that three members are necessary fo...
District chairs recommend: keep three executive board members per district
District chairs in Amsterdam and Weesp have sent a letter to the city government advising against reducing the number of executive board members per district from three to two. They argue that maintai...
Ex-RAF terrorist sentenced to 13 years for robberies
Former Red Army Faction member Daniela Klette has been sentenced to 13 years in prison by a court in northern Germany. She was convicted for six violent armed robberies committed between 1999 and 2016...
670 cartons of illegal cigarettes found during check on Randweg and Industrieweg in Beverwijk
Authorities in Beverwijk seized 670 cartons of illegal cigarettes, 400 flavored vapes, and numerous fatbikes during a joint inspection on Randweg and Industrieweg. The operation involved the local mun...
Hungarian parliament blocks withdrawal from ICC
The Hungarian parliament has voted to reverse the country's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This decision overturns an initiative started by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán...
65 municipal reports on construction and more in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 65 permit applications last week, with 64 specifically for Haarlem and one for Spaarndam. These reports primarily involve construction and development projects, a...