Politics News in English

Voter turnout in Rotterdam already higher than in 2022

Voter turnout for the municipal elections in Rotterdam has exceeded the figures from four years ago. By 8:30 PM on Wednesday, 39 percent of the city's eligible voters had already cast their ballots.

44 percent turnout by 7 PM in Haaksbergen asylum center referendum

By 7:00 PM on Wednesday, 44 percent of eligible voters in Haaksbergen had participated in a referendum regarding the housing of asylum seekers. This turnout ensures that the referendum results will be...

Turnout between 40 and 60 percent one hour before polls close

One hour before polls closed for the municipal elections, voter turnout varied significantly across different municipalities. Participation rates ranged from over 60% in some areas to just over 40% in...

LIVE 2026 Municipal Elections | First exit poll to be announced shortly after 9:00 PM

Research agency Ipsos I&O will release the first exit polls for the 2026 Dutch municipal elections shortly after 9:00 PM. The polls will cover the municipalities of Den Haag, Doetinchem, Noardeast-Fry...

Belgium increases use of ankle monitors to tackle prison overcrowding

Belgium will increase the use of electronic ankle monitors to address severe overcrowding in its prisons. This decision follows long-term efforts by the government to find a solution to the capacity c...

Is the parking revolt still alive at the Haarlem polls? 'It remains a ridiculous cash cow'

Following a 2024 rejection of expanded paid parking, the Haarlem city council approved a scaled-back version of the plan in May 2025. The upcoming municipal elections are expected to act as a referend...

Bloemendaal Cyclists' Union nearly removed from polling station for leafleting: ‘It is explicitly not voting advice’

Members of the Fietsersbond Bloemendaal were nearly forced to leave polling stations in Bloemendaal while distributing pamphlets on bicycle safety. Enforcement officers initially viewed the activity a...

One part of Spaarndam votes for Haarlem, the other for Haarlemmermeer, causing confusion: ‘People are showing up at the wrong place’

The village of Spaarndam is split between the municipalities of Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer, leading to confusion for residents during elections. Some voters mistakenly attempt to cast their ballots at...

EU leaders to call Orbán to order over Ukraine loan veto

EU leaders anticipate that a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine will be stalled at Thursday's summit because Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is expected to maintain his veto. The leaders intend t...

These people don't vote: from distrust to Ravaella (36) who wants to vote but is simply not allowed

Millions of people in the Netherlands are expected to abstain from voting due to feelings of mistrust, frustration, and the belief that their vote will not make a difference. This report also highligh...

CJIB positive about waiving traffic fine increases

The Dutch Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB) is supportive of a new policy that allows for the waiver of traffic fine increases to prevent individuals from falling into deeper financial distres...

Slight preference in Schalkwijk for Haarlem newcomer DENK: 'I voted for DENK because I know the lead candidate'

The political party DENK is making its debut in Haarlem, where voters in the Schalkwijk district have shown a slight preference for the party. Some residents indicated they voted for DENK based on per...

Witte de Withplein to get trees after long-running conflict with help from artist

Residents ‘cannot find voting pass’ and call municipality, but there are no elections in Hilversum at all

Residents of Hilversum contacted their municipality hundreds of times after failing to receive voting passes for current elections. Local voting has been delayed until later this year due to the munic...

Lebanon death toll from Israeli attacks rises to 968

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reports that the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has reached 968, including 77 women, 116 children, and 40 rescue workers. Additionally, more than 2,400 p...

Positive reactions to renewed trial with smaller ballot paper

Multiple municipalities in the Netherlands are receiving positive feedback from voters participating in a trial with smaller ballot papers. Polling station workers reported that citizens find the more...

Prokkel duo Sylvana and Funda get things done at polling station 13: ‘Thanks to her, we’ll have the highest turnout in Beverwijk’

Sylvana and Funda Koyca are working as a "Prokkelduo" at a polling station in Beverwijk's Castor College. Sylvana, nicknamed the "queen of the polling station," is credited with potentially driving hi...

After a long search, I must conclude I cannot fulfill my democratic duty: my voting pass is lost

The author reflects on the upcoming Dutch municipal elections, noting that many citizens treat voting as a routine chore rather than a significant civic duty. Due to a lost voting pass, the author exp...

From swimming pools to asylum centers, residents share concerns at Kennemerland polling stations: 'Let Sportdorp go ahead on May 17'

Voters in the Kennemerland region voiced their concerns on local and national issues, including asylum centers and sports facilities, at polling stations during the elections. A reporter visited sever...

In Burgerveen, Abbenes, Oude Meer and Aalsmeerderbrug, voting is different than in larger towns: 'Little happens here'

Residents of small villages in the Haarlemmermeer municipality, such as Burgerveen and Abbenes, report that voting considerations differ from larger towns due to a perceived lack of local activity. So...

From De Nieuwe Kerk to petting zoos: where Amsterdammers go to vote

Residents of Amsterdam are casting their votes in various unique locations across the city, including a petting zoo in the East and the historic Nieuwe Kerk. Voters shared diverse motivations for thei...

LIVE North Holland Elections | 101-year-old Bert van der Elzen votes in specially adapted booth

During the municipal elections in North Holland, 101-year-old Bert van der Elzen demonstrated how to vote from a mobility scooter using a specially adapted booth in Hoofddorp. The demonstration was sh...

Utrecht politicians want talks on leash requirement in wolf territory

The Utrecht Provincial Council is seeking discussions with nature organizations about the mandatory leashing of dogs in forests bordering Leusderheide to prevent wolf-dog confrontations. While manager...

Stolen cargo bike found during multi-agency checks in Heemskerk and Beverwijk

During a joint inspection by police, enforcement, and housing associations in Heemskerk and Beverwijk on Tuesday, a stolen electric cargo bike was recovered. The operation was conducted as part of an ...

US intelligence chief: Iran regime still intact, aims to regroup

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that the Iranian regime remains intact and intends to rebuild its military capabilities despite being weakened. She also noted that, contrary ...

Will the future of Spaarne Gasthuis still play a role in the elections? ‘I haven’t followed the discussion and honestly didn’t know’

On election day, voters at the Spaarne Gasthuis in Haarlem-Zuid are reflecting on whether the potential relocation of the hospital's emergency department to Hoofddorp affects their voting choices. Whi...

LIVE 2026 Municipal Elections | Man (81) with Alzheimer's turned away from polling station, wife not allowed to help

An 81-year-old man with Alzheimer's was turned away from a polling station in Bruinisse because he was unable to cast his vote independently. During the 2026 municipal elections, his wife was not perm...

Pakistan announces ceasefire for end of Ramadan

Pakistan has announced a temporary ceasefire in its conflict with Afghanistan to mark the end of Ramadan. The pause, which lasts from Thursday until Monday night, was initiated following requests from...

Nearly 1,000 damage reports after Drenthe earthquake

The number of damage reports following two earthquakes near the Eleveld gas field in the province of Drenthe has risen to 955. This represents a significant increase from the 630 reports previously re...

More lawyers in the Netherlands, legal aid sector continues to shrink

The total number of lawyers in the Netherlands increased by more than 1.5 percent to 19,046 last year, according to the Netherlands Bar Association (NOvA). Despite this overall growth, the number of l...