Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

Pam Bondi dismissed as US Attorney General
US President Donald Trump has dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to multiple American media reports. The decision follows recent rumors suggesting that Bondi might be replaced in her posi...

Roy and Jolanda will soon live in a revamped Schrijversbuurt in Heemskerk with three times as many homes: 'We'll be completely boxed in'
Roy and Jolanda Minkels, residents of the Schrijversbuurt in Heemskerk, are concerned that local redevelopment plans will triple the number of homes in their neighborhood. They fear the significantly ...

Halsema says baton pilot for law enforcement was not based on incorrect figures after all
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has clarified that a trial granting batons to enforcement officers was not based on incorrect violence figures, despite a previous admission of a data error. While a regi...

CDA, GroenLinks-PvdA and D66 in Zandvoort want broader exploration: 'I am shocked by the power block of the three largest parties'
CDA, GroenLinks-PvdA, and D66 in Zandvoort are calling for a broader exploration of potential coalition options following a proposal by the leading party, OPZ. CDA group chairman Kevin Stephan express...

Lokaal Vitaal and VVD to form coalition in Castricum; search now focuses on third party
The political parties Lokaal Vitaal and VVD have agreed to form a coalition to govern Castricum for the next four years. They are currently seeking a third partner from GroenLinks/PvdA, D66, or Forza!...

Netherlands wants to provide military contribution to opening the Strait of Hormuz
The Netherlands has expressed its willingness to provide a military contribution to ensure free passage in the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities have ceased. Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen announced t...
Princess Amalia pays official visit to Amsterdam at Halsema's invitation
Parcels from outside the EU to cost 5 euros more from November
Starting in July, packages imported from outside the EU will be subject to a 3-euro import duty, with an additional 2-euro European levy added in November. State Secretary for Finance Eelco Eerenberg ...

Detours for some, joy for others: Vondelpark cyclists react to fat bike ban
Starting May 11, Amsterdam will ban fatbikes with tires wider than seven centimeters from the Vondelpark to improve safety. Cyclists violating the ban face fines of up to 115 euros following an initia...
All broadcasters under one roof in a ‘broadcasting house’, except Ongehoord Nederland

Rat control has become a 'huge challenge'; how exterminators work
New Dutch regulations introduced in 2023 have shifted the focus of pest control from chemical poisoning to prevention and management, creating significant challenges for exterminators. This transition...
Leo Blokhuis and Ricky Koole created a show about American country music before Trump was re-elected: ‘Music can also be the way out of misery’

Referendum on Amsterdam boycott of Israel not possible, committee rules
An advisory commission has ruled that a requested referendum on an Amsterdam boycott of Israel is inadmissible because foreign policy falls outside the legal jurisdiction of the city council. The prop...

Referendum on Amsterdam boycott of Israel not possible, commission rules
An advisory commission has ruled that a proposed referendum for an Amsterdam boycott of Israel is inadmissible because foreign policy lies outside the city council's legal powers. While the citizen in...

UN chief warns of broader war with far-reaching consequences
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned in New York that the world is on the brink of a broader war with far-reaching global consequences. He urged for an end to the "spiral of death and destruc...

GroenLinks/PvdA makes decision in Beverwijk: PRO is the new name here too
The Beverwijk branch of the GroenLinks/PvdA party has officially changed its name to PRO, an abbreviation for Progressief. This decision follows a similar rebranding by the party's faction in The Hagu...

Telstar won't risk it with Malone alone; passport-gate also preoccupies Velsen
Dutch football club Telstar is managing the fallout of a "passport gate" controversy involving three of its Surinamese players. While no issues are expected for Devon Koswal and Rojendro Oudsten, Dion...
After Capelle tragedy: Parliament seeks to restrict filming of accidents and violence
The CDA and GroenLinks-PvdA parties have proposed a law to criminalize the filming and distribution of images of victims of accidents and violent crimes. The initiative follows public outrage over bys...

City pass holders get discount on energy-efficient refrigerators or washing machines
Amsterdam City Pass holders are now eligible for discounts on energy-efficient refrigerators and washing machines. The initiative aims to help low-income residents reduce their electricity bills by re...

Prominent Iranian human rights lawyer arrested
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent 62-year-old Iranian human rights lawyer and activist, has been arrested in Iran according to her daughter. Throughout her career, Sotoudeh has represented numerous high-pr...

Gorinchem residents to return to the polls on Wednesday April 29
Residents of Gorinchem will return to the polls on Wednesday, April 29, for a municipal election re-vote. The city council established this new date following allegations of voter fraud during the ori...

Iran: More than 7 million people sign up to defend country
More than 7 million Iranian citizens have registered as volunteers to defend their country against a potential U.S. invasion, according to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. This surge follo...

Islamic cemetery in Haarlem remains serious plan despite advanced negotiations in Haarlemmermeer. 'We don't want a regional role'
The municipality of Haarlem and the Islamic Council Haarlem have confirmed that plans for a local Islamic cemetery are still moving forward despite a similar project in neighboring Haarlemmermeer. Alt...

AVROTROS to cut jobs and downsize management due to budget cuts
Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS is cutting thirteen jobs and reducing its management board from three members to two. These measures follow budget cuts for public broadcasting announced by the previ...
Civil servant punished for fraud in Bentveld land sale
A municipal official has been convicted of forgery and fraud after manipulating a zoning plan to sell a property in Bentveld to his mother below market value. The court found the official guilty of ab...

Netherlands contacted US after threat to leave NATO
Prime Minister Rob Jetten confirmed that the Netherlands and NATO held discussions with the United States following Donald Trump's threats to withdraw from the alliance. The contact aimed to emphasize...

Paris tightens security after foiled attack
Security measures in Paris have been tightened following a foiled attack on a Bank of America office last week. Local authorities report suspected links between the incident and the pro-Iranian group ...

India, Somalia and Greece also join Hormuz coalition
India, Somalia, and Greece have joined a coalition of nations working to end the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar participated in the group's f...

Romanian minister: return of stolen objects unbelievable
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu described the recovery of stolen art objects from the Drents Museum as "incredible news." She emphasized that the recovery was crucial for Romania, even though insu...

Van den Brink: UNRWA handling should not be repeated
Deputy Prime Minister Bart van den Brink criticized Development Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma for his handling of the reversal of subsidy cuts to UNRWA. Van den Brink stated that the minister's actions in...