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

Arab countries lose year of economic growth due to Iran war
A UN Development Programme (UNDP) analysis indicates that the conflict involving Iran could cost Arab nations up to $194 billion in economic losses. This financial impact represents more than an entir...

IJmond municipalities launch campaign against elder abuse: ‘Don’t look away, talk about it’
The Dutch municipalities of Beverwijk, Heemskerk, and Velsen have launched the "Verborgen Leed" campaign to raise awareness about elder abuse. In collaboration with healthcare organization Zorgbalans,...
New council chamber officially opened: no more red and aldermen no longer tower over the council

Haarlem civil servants reporting to confidential counselors more often: ‘Feel they are being bullied’
The number of reports made by Haarlem municipal employees to confidential counselors increased from 32 to 37 over the past year. These reports primarily concerned an unsafe work environment and feelin...

Another shooting in Kromme Mijdrechtstraat; Velsen mayor reinstalls camera
A shooting incident occurred on Sunday morning in the Kromme Mijdrechtstraat in IJmuiden. In response, Mayor Dales has ordered the installation of surveillance cameras in the area for a period of thre...

Atmosphere at the Stopera live at 12:30 PM: new council chamber and farewell to 26 council members
Twenty-six members of the Amsterdam City Council are stepping down this afternoon during a ceremony that also marks the official opening of the newly renovated council chamber at the Stopera. The even...

Study: Groningen residents more anxious and depressed due to earthquakes
A study by the UMCG and the University of Groningen has established a direct link between earthquakes caused by gas extraction and increased mental health issues among residents. Researchers found tha...

Osdorp Garden Centre leaves city to make way for housing
Tuincentrum Osdorp is set to move out of Amsterdam's Nieuw-West district to make way for a new residential neighborhood and retail space. The popular 66-year-old family business expects to relocate to...
Council approves Geesterheem and housing at De Kuil: 'Want residents to be able to stay in Uitgeest, even as they age and need care'
The municipal executive has approved plans by ViVa! Zorggroep and developer De Realisatie to build the new Geesterheem care facility and additional housing at De Kuil. The project is designed to ensur...

Multiple countries in Middle East report attacks
Multiple countries in the Middle East reported attacks during the night between Monday and Tuesday. Following a series of explosions, the Iranian news agency Fars reported power outages in parts of Te...

MPs ask question after question about Haarlem track maintenance. The only one that matters: is it still worth it?
Dutch Members of Parliament have submitted 38 questions to State Secretary Annet Bertram regarding the canceled joint railway maintenance in Haarlem. The project's failure has resulted in a 60 million...

Recovery plan for childcare benefit parents poorly received: 'Calm is needed'
Parents and advocacy groups affected by the Dutch childcare allowance scandal are calling for an extension of the April 1 deadline to register for additional compensation. They argue that many victims...

WSJ: Trump wants end to war, even without opening Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering ending military hostilities with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. According to sources from The Wall Street Journal, Trump discussed t...

Bloemendaal ignores province's enforcement request, takes no action against Vogelenzang campsite construction
The municipality of Bloemendaal has rejected a request from the province of North Holland to take enforcement action against fixed structures at Camping Vogelenzang. The province sought measures again...

Drought, heat and wet feet: 'Adapting to climate change is not a choice'
A new advisory report to the Dutch cabinet emphasizes that adapting to climate change is mandatory rather than optional. While technical solutions may provide short-term relief, the report suggests th...

Royal couple saddened by death of former president Santokhi
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima expressed their condolences following the death of former Surinamese President Chan Santokhi. The Dutch royal couple shared warm memories of the leader in a sta...

Ameland recounts all votes over one vote
The Dutch island of Ameland will recount all municipal election votes after discovering a one-vote discrepancy at a polling station. Officials recorded 355 ballots despite only 354 voting passes being...

Jetten: Santokhi meant a lot to Suriname and the Netherlands
Former Surinamese President Chan Santokhi passed away unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 67 in Paramaribo. Prime Minister Rob Jetten honored his memory, stating that Santokhi significantly impacted ...

North Holland again calls for action on ‘crucial’ IJmuiden pumping station
The province of Noord-Holland has renewed its call for the Dutch government to fund the renovation of the crucial pumping station and discharge complex in IJmuiden. Deputy Anouk Gielen warned that the...
Police could soon search social media more easily under cabinet plans: ‘Could be dangerous’
The Dutch government has proposed new legislation that would allow police to monitor citizens' social media accounts more easily to help prevent riots. While the cabinet views the proposal as a necess...

Mayor of Gorinchem wants ministry to look into proxy voting
Mayor Reinie Melissant of Gorinchem has requested that the Dutch Ministry of the Interior investigate the fraud susceptibility of proxy voting. The request follows allegations of voter fraud during mu...

North Holland prioritizes health in provincial policy
The North Holland provincial council has approved a new policy framework that integrates public health considerations into all future provincial decision-making. The measure passed with a significant ...

Israeli parliament approves controversial death penalty law
The Israeli parliament has approved a controversial law allowing the death penalty for individuals convicted of murder with a terrorist motive. The punishment, to be carried out by hanging, has drawn ...
A head of lettuce and Che Guevara with a Nike logo: protest art by Mexican Americans

Dimitry van den Berg (50), designated D66 Heemstede alderman, is a father, artist, and politician in one: 'I am action-oriented, so great things will surely happen'
Dimitry van den Berg, a 50-year-old council member from Haarlem, has been nominated as the new candidate alderman for D66 in Heemstede. If coalition negotiations are successful, he will succeed Anneke...

Former Surinamese President Chan Santokhi dies at 67
Former Surinamese President Chan Santokhi has passed away at the age of 67 after reportedly falling ill on Monday afternoon. He was rushed to the hospital before his death was confirmed by news outlet...
First openly gay politician Coos Huijsen sees progress stalled
Coos Huijsen, the first openly gay politician in the Netherlands, reflects on the stalled state of LGBTQ+ emancipation fifty years after his own pioneering efforts. Alongside current MP Thom van Campe...
62 million euros for new GVB ferries: ‘Crowds are increasing, short-term investments needed’

Beverwijk informateur resigns after clash with FvD: 'I won't be pushed around by some Don Bijl,' says Forum leader Mark Nijman
Informateur Don Bijl has resigned from his role in Beverwijk following a dispute with the local Forum for Democracy (FvD) branch. The conflict occurred after the party insisted on having three represe...

Measures after Finance Ministry hack affect treasury banking
The Dutch Ministry of Finance has disabled several digital systems, including its treasury banking portal, following a cyberattack. This precautionary measure affects around 1,600 public institutions ...