Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Toos & Henk - April 23
Cartoonist Paul Kusters provides his unique perspective on current events through the daily comic strip 'Toos & Henk'. The strip is published every day from Monday through Saturday.
Multiple killed and wounded in Russian attack on Dnipro
A Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro resulted in at least two deaths and eight injuries. One person remains missing following the strike.
Domestic violence reports to Veilig Thuis rise again
Veilig Thuis and the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) reported a rise in domestic violence and child abuse cases in the Netherlands, with 136,000 reports filed last year. This marks an increase fro...
Pension funds have smaller buffers due to war in Middle East
The funding ratios of major Dutch pension funds ABP and PME have declined due to financial market instability linked to the conflict in the Middle East. This decrease could result in less capital bein...
Iran 'fully prepared' to participate in World Cup
Iran's national football team is fully prepared to participate in the upcoming World Cup this summer despite the ongoing war. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed the team's readiness ...
Deeply upset Gerard Metselaar says he was forced to leave Hart voor Bloemendaal before the elections: 'But I had to stay for the votes'
Gerard Metselaar alleges he was forced to leave the Hart voor Bloemendaal party prior to the elections following reports of his involvement in drinking sessions at the town hall. He claims the party l...
'Limited consequences for Velsen if pumping station fails', says Velsen executive in response to council questions
The Velsen municipal executive stated that the impact on the municipality would be relatively limited if the pumping station at the mouth of the North Sea Canal were to fail. This statement was issued...
Oil prices rise on uncertain ceasefire prospects
Oil prices have risen for the fourth consecutive day due to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The struggle for control of the strategic waterway has led to...
For sale signs appearing more often and staying longer on luxury holiday homes as oversupply drives down prices, especially in coastal areas
The luxury holiday home market in the Netherlands is cooling down, with a record number of properties listed for sale due to stricter tax measures. This oversupply is leading to falling prices after y...
US Navy Secretary leaves post immediately
US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has resigned from his position effective immediately, according to an announcement from the Pentagon. No official explanation has been provided for the sudden depa...
Jetten maneuvers through fierce debate with cheap train ticket promise and soothing words
Minister Jetten navigated a heated parliamentary debate by promising cheap public transport tickets for the summer to secure opposition support. Despite calls for more fuel price compensation, the Dut...
Attack on rescue workers during rescue attempt of journalist in Lebanon
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least two people and injured journalists and aid workers. The casualties occurred during a rescue attempt for a journalist following an attack in the...
Trump calls Virginia referendum rigged
President Donald Trump claimed that a referendum on electoral redistricting in Virginia was rigged after voters approved a map likely to benefit Democrats. Writing on Truth Social, Trump alleged that ...
Trump: Iran refrains from executing women at my request
President Donald Trump announced that eight women facing execution in Iran will be released following his request for a goodwill gesture ahead of upcoming negotiations. However, Iranian judicial autho...
Iranian top negotiator demands end to US blockade
Iranian parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammed Qalibaf has demanded that the United States end its naval blockade of Iranian ports to facilitate a genuine ceasefire. Qalibaf criticized the cur...
IND to assess whether asylum seekers can return to safe parts of Syria
Dutch Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink announced that the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will assess on an individual basis whether Syrian asylum seekers can safely return to parts of ...
Separate referendum on Israel boycott would cost a few million euros
Mayor Femke Halsema has stated that holding a standalone referendum in Amsterdam regarding a boycott of Israel would cost an estimated 2.19 million euros. The proposal currently lacks majority support...
Separate referendum on Israel boycott would cost a few million euros
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema estimates that holding a standalone referendum on a potential boycott of Israel would cost the city approximately 2.19 million euros. While costs could be significantly r...
Consumer fears war, investor counts on peace
Consumers are growing increasingly pessimistic due to the conflict in the Middle East, while stock markets continue to reach record highs. This contrast raises questions about whether investors are ig...
Greek politicians may face prosecution in EU funds fraud case
The Greek parliament has lifted the legal immunity of thirteen politicians from the ruling Néa Dimokratía party to allow for their prosecution in an EU subsidy fraud case. The scandal involves dozen...
Heinen open to taxing windfall profits, but not yet
Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen has expressed openness to taxing the excess profits of companies benefiting from conflicts in the Middle East, such as those in the oil sector. However, he stated t...
Asylum shelter outweighs local residents' interests, judge rules
A Dutch judge ruled that the societal need for humanitarian asylum housing outweighs the interests of local residents in participating in the decision-making process. The case involved thirteen reside...
Nicolás Keenan was 'scared to death' when relationship with Rob Jetten became public
Argentine hockey player Nicolás Keenan revealed in an interview with L'HOMO that he felt extreme nerves when his relationship with Dutch politician Rob Jetten was made public. The couple kept their r...
30-year sentence demanded for Syrian man from Druten for serious militia violence
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has demanded a 30-year prison sentence for Rafik A., a Syrian man residing in Druten, for crimes including torture and sexual violence committed in Syria between 2...
Should climate policy be put on the back burner? Parliament wrangles over grid connection freeze
Dutch Members of Parliament are debating whether to scale back climate policies following reports that the power grid in parts of Utrecht can no longer accommodate new heat pumps or charging stations....
Province increases Bevrijdingspop subsidy by €60,000 at last minute: 'Especially important now to continue promoting freedom'
The province of Noord-Holland has increased its subsidy for Haarlem's Bevrijdingspop festival by 60,000 euros for the second consecutive year. This funding follows a similar increase from the municipa...
Cabinet to expand energy support package with cheaper public transport in summer
The Dutch cabinet is expanding its energy support package with the introduction of a 'Netherlands ticket,' allowing unlimited off-peak train travel for 49 euros per month this summer. This initiative,...
Cabinet wants cheaper train travel in summer months
The Dutch cabinet, led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten, intends to introduce cheaper off-peak train tickets during the upcoming summer months. This move, originally proposed by GroenLinks-PvdA, serves as...
Opposition critical of energy package, divided on additional plans
Dutch opposition parties have expressed criticism towards the government's energy price compensation package. However, there is no consensus among these parties regarding which additional measures sho...
Haarlem church to ring bells for children denied asylum
On April 29, the H.H. Anna and Mary Cathedral in Haarlem will ring its bells in support of the Babayants family from Uzbekistan. The family's four children, who are well-integrated in the Netherlands,...