Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
When is a police officer allowed to use a taser?
Recent footage of a police officer using a Taser on a delivery driver in Amsterdam has drawn attention to the specific legal conditions under which Dutch law enforcement may deploy conducted energy we...
Cabinet scraps promised nitrogen plans after extensive talks with farmers
The Dutch government has delayed the release of its finalized nitrogen reduction plans following extensive consultations with agricultural organizations. Minister Jaimi van Essen stated that more time...
District chair Lotte Terwel got ‘Ad Melkert vibes’ from the PRO Amsterdam members' meeting
District chair Lotte Terwel discussed Mayor Femke Halsema's current political responsibilities during a recent meeting with members of PRO Amsterdam. The session, reported by Madelief van Dongen for R...
Roos van Riel and Madelief van Dongen join Politiek aan de Amstel podcast with insights from the Stopera: ‘No discussion is off-limits’
Reporters Roos van Riel and Madelief van Dongen have stepped into new roles as political journalists covering the Amsterdam city hall, also known as the Stopera, for Het Parool. They are now co-hostin...
Lawyer for Overasselt attack target withdraws from case
Jan G. from Overasselt faces legal turmoil following an underworld attack on his home that killed a security guard and led to his own arrest for drug trafficking. His defense attorney, Ralph Takens, h...
Haarlem Participation Council seeks new members
The Participatieraad Haarlem is looking for new volunteer members to advise local government on social policies related to housing, welfare, and healthcare. Interested residents of Haarlem have until ...
Politics in Amsterdam: doubts over fatbike ban success and car owners to pay significantly more in 2027
Amsterdam faces public backlash over upcoming increases to parking permit fees set for 2027 and ongoing skepticism regarding the actual impact of the fatbike ban in Vondelpark. Additionally, city offi...
No budget deal yet: frustration on the right, left wants to continue talks
Negotiations for a new budget deal in the Netherlands remain gridlocked as the cabinet faces conflicting demands from both right-wing and left-wing opposition parties. While right-leaning groups expre...
Cabinet on edge over weekend riot plans, shops boarded up: ‘Worrying signals’
Dutch authorities are monitoring reports of potential riots and looting scheduled for the upcoming weekend following social media calls. In response, businesses in some cities have boarded up their st...
Independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta shuts down: 'We have been killed'
The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta has officially ceased operations after thirty years, citing forced eviction and the blocking of their financial resources by state authorities. The edit...
Audi supervisory board meets over 'deeply embarrassing' CEO appearance with Trump
Audi CEO Döllner is under fire from German labor leaders for appearing at a Donald Trump rally to announce a new SUV factory in the United States. Critics have labeled the move a violation of corpora...
Youths share calls for riots in Dutch cities, schools warn
Dutch schools and authorities are on high alert after social media messages began encouraging youth to riot and loot stores in various cities this weekend. While police are monitoring the situation, s...
Meloni wants Italians to personalize their license plates: 'Go wild'
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed a plan to allow citizens to purchase personalized license plates for their vehicles. The initiative, intended to encourage creativity, faces criticis...
Parcel delivery driver tased during arrest for illegal parking in Negen Straatjes
A delivery driver was tasered and arrested by police in Amsterdam's Runstraat after refusing to move his van, which was obstructing traffic. The incident is currently under investigation to determine ...
Grumpy cabinet now considering a Godfather offer
The Dutch cabinet is struggling to reach an agreement on its tax plans due to ongoing tensions and rejected proposals from the right-wing opposition. In response, officials are now considering present...
Halsema on wave of explosions in Nieuw-West due to youth gang conflict: "It is calming down"
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema reports that a wave of gang-related explosions in the Nieuw-West district is beginning to decrease following the implementation of new security measures. The violence, fu...
Halsema on wave of explosions in Nieuw-West due to youth gang conflict: "It is calming down"
Mayor Femke Halsema reports that the wave of explosions in Amsterdam's Nieuw-West district is subsiding following the implementation of new security measures. The violence, linked to a conflict betwee...
Journalist Sarah Haaij (41) sees an Amsterdam full of exploitation: 'Even my leftist friends don't know if their cleaner has a passport'
Journalist Sarah Haaij has published a book investigating the prevalence of labor exploitation among migrant workers in Amsterdam. Through interviews with both victims and perpetrators, she reveals th...
House of Representatives wants ban on AI programs like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude in primary schools: ‘Learn to think critically first’
A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives supports a ban on using generative AI tools like ChatGPT in primary schools to protect fundamental education. Lawmakers argue that children must master...
Top cabinet meets: frustration over offer from right-wing trio
The Dutch cabinet is deadlocked after a coalition of right-wing opposition parties submitted a list of demanding conditions in exchange for supporting the government's tax plans. Ministers are express...
City will not appeal against new and broader Schiphol rules, alderman wants enforcement
The municipality of Amsterdam will not legally challenge the new national regulations for Schiphol Airport, despite concerns that the rules may increase noise pollution. Councilor Sofyan Mbarki argues...
City will not appeal new and broader Schiphol rules, alderman wants enforcement
The Amsterdam city government has opted against taking legal action regarding the new Schiphol airport traffic regulations, though officials admit the rules do not fully align with the city's environm...
ECB President Christine Lagarde to step down in early 2027, ahead of term end
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will step down from her role on February 7, 2027, ahead of her term's official end. Former De Nederlandsche Bank president Klaas Knot is currently bei...
Gas prices keep rising, where will it end? ‘It is deafeningly quiet in The Hague’
Natural gas prices in the Netherlands have risen sharply to over 2 euros per cubic meter, driven by geopolitical instability in the Middle East. With no government price cap currently active, many hou...
New twist in tax soap: BBB joins right-wing alliance
The BBB party has joined JA21 and SGP to form a right-wing negotiating bloc, presenting the Dutch government with a long list of demands tied to tax and budget negotiations. Their requirements include...
Warm words in Kyiv, but there is also a commercial interest at play: what is going on?
D66 Member of Parliament Sjoerd Sjoerdsma has traveled to Ukraine to lead a trade and aid mission amidst the ongoing Russian military aggression. Journalist Niels Klaassen is covering the visit, which...
EU backtracks and will not make Canada its first associate member after all
The European Union has decided against naming Canada its first associate member following opposition from several member states and concerns over potential diplomatic friction with the United States. ...
Italy raises bank tax to ease burden on middle incomes
Italy is raising taxes on banks, insurers, energy companies, and the gambling sector to generate over 5 billion euros. These funds will support a 26 billion euro relief package aimed at reducing the t...
Noise pollution warning for new public transport to Haven-Stad
The Amsterdam municipality has been advised to rigorously assess the potential for noise and vibration disturbances if a new public transport connection is built to the Haven-Stad district. Experts wa...
Who will tell the French that austerity is truly necessary?
France is grappling with a severe economic downturn marked by high debt and political instability that hinders essential fiscal reforms. Widespread public opposition and a fractured parliament have ma...