Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Four people taken off ship in IJmuiden
Four stowaways were removed from a ship at the IJmuiden lock complex on Sunday afternoon. Authorities intervened to take the individuals off the vessel as it was positioned within the locks.
Cabinet considers lower road tax due to fuel prices
The Dutch cabinet is considering a temporary reduction in road tax to help motorists cope with high fuel prices during the current energy crisis. This proposal is one of several measures being discuss...
Von der Leyen: No Middle East security if Lebanon burns
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for an immediate end to attacks on Lebanon, stating that regional stability is impossible while the country is in conflict. She warned tha...
European Commission to unveil package to tackle high energy prices next Wednesday
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that a package of measures to address high energy prices will be presented next Wednesday. The proposal follows consultations with all Euro...
House of Representatives to close due to staff strike, Senate remains in session
The Dutch House of Representatives is forced to clear its agenda on Tuesday due to striking civil servants, while the Senate will continue its scheduled debate on asylum laws. This unprecedented closu...
Prosecution does not doubt truthfulness of Weski's 'initial reactions'
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) stated it does not doubt the truthfulness of statements made by former lawyer Inez Weski immediately following her April 2023 arrest. During her trial, prosec...
Russia wants good ties with Hungary after election result
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia intends to maintain positive relations with Hungary following the election victory of opposition leader Péter Magyar over Prime Minister Viktor O...
Council of Churches calls on Senate for humanity
The Dutch Council of Churches has called on the Senate to prioritize humanity during upcoming debates and votes on new asylum legislation. Representative Derk Stegeman expressed concern over the poten...
Yeşilgöz does not envision participation in Hormuz blockade
Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz has stated that the Netherlands is unlikely to participate in a U.S.-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. She argued that following President Donald Trump's pl...
Incapacitated workers sometimes wait over a year for UWV assessment
Waiting times for disability assessments by the Dutch employee insurance agency (UWV) have increased, with delays exceeding one year in some regions. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed that the c...
AFM urges consumers to build financial buffers against geopolitical uncertainty
The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has advised consumers and financial sector companies to build financial buffers to protect against economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensi...
Foundation problems a major blow for homeowners
Pope after Trump criticism: I will continue to speak out for peace
Pope Leo has stated his commitment to continue speaking out against war despite criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Pope made these comments during a flight to Algeria, which marks the beg...
Electric trucks gain ground due to diesel crisis and environmental regulations
Although electric trucks currently represent only 1.5% of the total fleet in the Netherlands, their adoption is expected to increase rapidly due to record-high diesel prices and falling vehicle costs....
Russian rock legend plays for a thousand compatriots at Patronaat; Boris Grebenshikov: 'I don't see myself as an exile'
Russian rock legend Boris Grebenshikov performed for a crowd of one thousand compatriots at the Patronaat venue in Haarlem. During the event, Grebenshikov stated that he does not view himself as an ex...
Hardenberg asylum center remains open, fines exceed €1 million
The asylum seekers center in Hardenberg remains operational despite a municipal order to close it more than a month ago. As of Monday, 280 residents stay at the facility, while total fines for non-com...
Fuel in Germany becomes temporarily cheaper due to government intervention
The German government has announced a temporary two-month reduction in taxes on diesel and gasoline to combat rising fuel prices. This intervention, announced on Monday, is designed to provide immedia...
Oil prices rise again after failed peace talks, Ireland cuts taxes
Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel on Monday following the failure of peace negotiations between the United States and Iran. In response to widespread protests regarding high energy costs, the Iris...
Paid parking in Amsterdam-Zuidoost expanded: fees start today in Gein
Paid parking has been introduced in Gein, the final neighborhood in Amsterdam-Zuidoost to transition from free parking. Motorists must now pay €1.72 per hour, except after 7:00 PM and on Sundays, as...
Debate begins today on asylum law criminalizing illegality: "It is inhumane"
The Dutch Senate has begun debating a new asylum law that would criminalize illegal residency, a move that Amsterdam city officials and aid organizations describe as inhumane. Critics argue the law wi...
‘Censoring books in the US, land of the free, is absurd’: fear of long blacklist due to bill
Video | Royal couple lands in Philadelphia for much-discussed US visit
Since the war in Iran, this car dealer is selling more electric cars
Ferrets to tackle rat infestations: "It’s more animal-friendly than poison," but does it work?
Following a severe rat infestation that closed a business in Amsterdam-Oost, the political party Ja21 has proposed using ferrets as a natural and more humane alternative to poison for pest control. Wh...
The White House as a minefield for world leaders: the scenario Jetten wants to avoid
Dutch minister Rob Jetten is preparing for a high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump at the White House. Experts provide insights on navigating potentially uncomfortable diplomatic conversations and med...
Municipality of Velsen draws up plans for Schoonenberg, Velserbroek and Venusstraat to prevent disjointed development
The municipality of Velsen is advancing housing development plans for Venusstraat in IJmuiden and Grote Buitendijk in Velserbroek. A comprehensive plan for the Schoonenberg area in Velsen-Zuid, includ...
PvdD angry: Haarlem fails to protect nesting swans from stone-throwers. ‘Some sticks and chicken wire, how hard can it be?’
The Party for the Animals in Haarlem is criticising the city for failing to protect a swan's nest from youths throwing stones at the Zuider Buiten Spaarne. Alderman Robbert Berkhout stated that instal...
Netanyahu: Iranian nuclear and missile programs destroyed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a televised address that joint operations with the United States have successfully destroyed Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This ...
Current business park to feature 8,000 high-rise homes in the future
The Amsterdam City Council is reviewing plans to transform the Holterbergweg industrial area in Zuidoost into a high-rise district featuring up to 8,000 new homes and expanded business space. The deve...
Kyiv: Russia has already violated Easter truce hundreds of times
The Ukrainian military reports that Russia has violated the Easter ceasefire 469 times since it officially began at 4:00 PM local time. These figures were released by Ukraine's military leadership on ...