Politics News in English

UvA must reverse changes to former VOC room

Van den Brink relaxes asylum policy for Afghan women

Dutch Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink has relaxed asylum policies for Afghan women and girls, making them eligible for residence permits in the vast majority of cases. This decision significantly i...

'Speeds higher at night on average than during day'. Beverwijk recognizes Laan der Nederlanden as a racetrack, but awaits renovation

Residents of Beverwijk have raised concerns about frequent speeding on the Laan der Nederlanden following a fatal accident last Sunday. The local municipality acknowledges the safety issues and intend...

Corona hearings begin today: these are the six unanswered questions (and the start of an answer)

The Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic begins today to address unresolved questions about policy choices. The committee aims to provide clarity on seve...

Axios: Iran and US near deal on truce extension

Negotiators from Iran and the United States have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to extend an existing truce and initiate talks on Iran's nuclear program. The deal currently awaits formal s...

Permanent end to parking at antique market around the Dreef

The Dutch Council of State has ruled that the municipality of Haarlem is allowed to ban parking on the grass during antique markets at the Dreef. This decision concludes a legal dispute between market...

Gas storage levels lag, state-owned EBN steps in

Dutch Minister Stientje van Veldhoven has informed Parliament that energy companies are currently failing to store sufficient gas for the coming winter. At the government's request, state-owned compan...

MBO students will be able to take a board year by 2028 at the latest

Dutch Education Minister Rianne Letschert announced that all vocational education (MBO) students, including minors, will be able to participate in a board year by 2028. This initiative aims to align M...

Opinion: ‘Area around Amsterdam Central is the city's calling card, cleaning must be prioritized there’

Is the leniency for Inez Weski fair when others faced the full brunt?

Haarlem children, let's play! City doubles playground equipment at 29 locations

The municipality of Haarlem will begin major maintenance on 29 playgrounds this autumn, doubling the number of play equipment items from 64 to 128 over the next 18 months. In addition to the new equip...

Berendsen: EU team could negotiate between Ukraine and Russia

EU Foreign Ministers agreed during a meeting in Cyprus that a representative or team should represent European interests in potential peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Dutch Foreign Minis...

Trial period nearly over: Velsen to decide on short batons for enforcement officers this autumn

A trial period for law enforcement officers in Velsen to carry short batons is nearing its conclusion. Local authorities are expected to make a final decision on whether to continue the practice this ...

More social housing for regular seekers in Zuid-Kennemerland and IJmond, share of urgent seekers lower than in rest of country

In the Zuid-Kennemerland and IJmond regions, a larger proportion of social housing is being allocated to regular house hunters compared to other parts of the Netherlands. According to the 2025 Housing...

'Pizza incident' led to brutal youth attack on Kleine Strand: three injured, two men hospitalized. Mayor Dales reacts 'with horror' to assault

A dispute involving a pizza escalated into a violent assault by a group of youths at Kleine Strand in IJmuiden, resulting in three injuries. Two men were hospitalized with serious head and facial woun...

US blocks access for Iranian airlines

The United States will block Iranian airlines from accessing landing sites, refueling stations, and ticket sales as part of an ongoing economic campaign. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated t...

Snack vending machines at tram stops under discussion: "Encourages unhealthy choices"

Residents in Amsterdam's IJburg neighborhood have launched petitions against new snack machines at tram stops, arguing they encourage unhealthy eating habits among youth. While city officials and some...

Snack machines at tram stops debated: "Encourages unhealthy choices"

Residents in Amsterdam's IJburg neighborhood have launched petitions against new snack vending machines at tram stops, arguing they promote unhealthy eating habits for children. While city officials a...

Municipality to take over tasks of defunct drug user foundation Mainline

Trial road closure for events in ArenA area on June 1

Amsterdam will test a new traffic management approach in the ArenA area on June 1st to improve accessibility and liveability during major events. This trial aims to evaluate specific measures for orga...

Dutch government to appeal airport nitrogen rulings

The Dutch government is appealing court rulings regarding nitrogen emissions at the Eindhoven, Rotterdam, and Lelystad airports. Minister Jaimi van Essen stated that the appeal aims to provide legal c...

Chaya (24) secretly extended a wooden bench on Museumplein for the homeless: ‘You can’t lie down properly on a 1.20-meter bench’

Haarlem coalition PRO, D66, CDA: negotiations to finish June 11

Coalition negotiators from PRO, D66, and CDA in Haarlem have announced that their governing agreement will be finalized by June 11. The agreement is currently in its concluding phase and will be prese...

Kallas: EU will never be a neutral mediator between Russia and Ukraine

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Europe will never be a neutral mediator between Russia and Ukraine because the bloc supports Ukraine and its own security interests. Speaking in Cyprus,...

Zandvoort beach designated security risk area after restless weekend

The station area, central boulevard, and beach in Zandvoort have been designated as security risk areas starting Thursday afternoon. This decision by Mayor David Moolenburgh follows a weekend of unres...

Jetten: door remains open for talks with employers and unions

Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated that the Dutch cabinet remains open to continuing negotiations with trade unions and employers regarding social security reforms. The statement follows the unions' dec...

Part of Zandvoort declared security risk zone after beach unrest and violence

Authorities have designated parts of Zandvoort as a security risk area following violent incidents and public disorder during the busy Pentecost weekend. The measure allows police to conduct preventiv...

'It’s becoming increasingly unsafe there.' Municipality and businesses fed up with motorcycle lessons on Ted Vermeulenweg

The municipality of Haarlem and local business owners are taking steps to stop motorcycle lessons on Ted Vermeulenweg in the Waarderpolder industrial area due to safety concerns and nuisance. New park...

Newspaper: Staff pushed for $250 bill featuring Trump

Internal pressure within the US government was exerted to design a $250 bill featuring President Trump, according to a report by The Washington Post. A senior staffer who opposed the proposal was repo...

Minister must reassess whether five animals can be kept as pets

The Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) has ordered a reassessment of whether five animal species, including the chinchilla and Russian dwarf hamster, may be kept as pets. This ruling foll...