Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
It's official: IKC Cunera is happening with a maximum building height of 11.5 meters
Local authorities have approved the updated spatial framework for the new Integraal Kind Centrum (IKC) in Bakkum. The school, which was previously greenlit in 2024, will be constructed on Vondelstraat...
Pope Leo praises US history of welcoming immigrants
Pope Leo praised the United States for its historical commitment to welcoming immigrants in a recent video address. The speech was delivered on the eve of his home country's 250th anniversary.
Local parties angry over smaller ballot without candidate names: 'Where is Thea from Opperdoes?'
Approximately one hundred local political parties in the Netherlands are protesting the government's plan to introduce smaller, candidate-free ballots by 2029. The groups have urged Minister Heerma to...
Arrested Turkish comedian who called Erdogan a dictator faces jail time
Turkish comedian Deniz Göktas was taken into pre-trial detention on Friday following his arrest for allegedly mocking religious values and insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The comedian faces...
State Secretary does not want harsher sentences for young offenders
State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen stated that she does not support increasing criminal penalties for offenders aged 12 to 17. Her position opposes the previous cabinet's push to raise maximum senten...
Animal testing on monkeys may continue after 2030
Minister of Science Rianne Letschert has informed the House of Representatives that animal testing on monkeys may continue beyond 2030. She stated that these tests remain necessary for the development...
Jan-Kees Emmer just celebrates 250 years of the United States because the US is more than Trump
Journalist Jan-Kees Emmer reflects on the significance of the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence. He highlights that the celebration remains meaningful regardless of current politica...
These will be the uncomfortable corona questions for Hugo de Jonge
The Dutch government is making progress on addressing long-standing nitrogen emission issues despite farmer protests. Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen now faces the challenge of balancing these ne...
Next coronavirus hearings feature De Jonge, Keijzer and Maurice de Hond
Former Health Minister Hugo de Jonge, former State Secretary Mona Keijzer, and pollster Maurice de Hond will testify before the Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee on coronavirus. The hearings focus...
Multiple witnesses threatened around corona hearings
Multiple witnesses summoned by the Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee on COVID-19 have reported being physically and digitally threatened. Committee chair Daan de Kort condemned the behavior as una...
Youth detention for 17-year-old boy who supplied cobras for failed attack on De Pizzabakkers
Amsterdam made over 1,800 homes habitable again last year
In 2025, the city of Amsterdam successfully returned over 1,800 vacant or fraudulently occupied homes to the housing market. These efforts are part of the municipality's ongoing strategy to combat hou...
From Haarlem to Nieuwegein by a single bus: Ministry study shows it is possible and profitable
The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has explored the potential for a new rapid bus route connecting the Spaarne Gasthuis in Haarlem to Nieuwegein. Research indicates that such a ...
Quint: COVID debate should have been broader in politics and media
Romy Quint, founder of the group Women for Freedom, testified before the parliamentary inquiry committee on Friday. She stated that a broader political and media discussion regarding COVID-19 policies...
Corona-critical group felt like a 'type of people's representative'
Romy Quint, a founder of the corona-critical group Vrijheid voor Vrouwen, stated to a parliamentary inquiry committee that her organization acted as a representative for citizens during the pandemic. ...
Jan-Bert Vroege leaves Amsterdam politics for alderman role in Almere: "Time for something else"
After sixteen years in Amsterdam politics, Jan-Bert Vroege has been installed as a new alderman in Almere. He will oversee a diverse portfolio focused on the city's future, including economy, innovati...
Iran begins series of mourning ceremonies for Ali Khamenei funeral
Mourning ceremonies have begun in Tehran for the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who passed away in late February. The funeral proceedings are being held at the Imam Khomeini Mosque comple...
Cabinet invests 450 million euros in underground hydrogen storage
The Dutch cabinet is investing 450 million euros from the Climate Fund into the construction of underground hydrogen storage facilities. This initiative aims to support the transition to renewable ene...
FNV welcomes ban on temporary agency workers in meat sector
The trade union FNV has welcomed Minister Hans Vijlbrief's decision to ban temporary workers in the meat sector starting in June 2028. While the union views this as a breakthrough against structural a...
Politics on the Amstel: PRO gaslights the city council and the 'little train' is back in council
The podcast Politiek aan de Amstel discusses recent political tensions in the Amsterdam city council, including controversy surrounding the party PRO and the performance of mayor Femke Halsema. Journa...
NATO countries agree on 140 billion euros for Ukraine over two years
NATO member states have agreed to provide 140 billion euros in aid to Ukraine over the next two years. The 32 leaders are expected to formalize this commitment during an upcoming summit.
EU adds six Russians to sanctions list over Navalny poisoning
The European Union has imposed sanctions on six Russian individuals, including military scientists, for their alleged involvement in the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. These measures i...
Letschert proud of plan for mandatory internship compensation
Dutch Minister of Education Rianne Letschert has expressed pride in a new cabinet proposal to legally mandate internship compensation for vocational and higher education students. She stated that inte...
Minister still has no plan for housing vulnerable groups
Minister Eleanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan has not yet formulated a concrete plan to provide housing for vulnerable groups facing critical needs. While various stakeholders have developed preliminary buil...
Spectacular: judges find traffic fines too high, potential consequences for cabinet policy
Three judges have ruled against the government's decision to increase traffic fines for 2024 and 2025. These rulings could significantly impact national traffic fine policy in the Netherlands.
Cabinet wants more control over government cloud usage
State Secretary Willemijn Aerdts has announced plans to reduce the Dutch government's reliance on American tech companies for cloud services. The initiative aims to enhance data sovereignty and securi...
Holiday park residents allowed to stay, government introduces new rules
The Dutch cabinet has reached an agreement with municipalities to allow permanent residents of holiday parks to remain in their homes. Additionally, the government is developing new regulations to fac...
Vijlbrief: Meat might be 'a bit' more expensive due to temp agency ban
Dutch Minister Hans Vijlbrief suggests that meat prices may increase slightly starting in June 2028 due to an upcoming ban on temporary employment agencies in the meat sector. He defends the policy as...
Flash powder on suspect could link to explosive attack
Provinces once again urge municipalities to house status holders
Dutch provinces are resuming their oversight role by calling municipalities to account for failing to meet housing targets for refugees with residency permits. While provinces have a legal mandate to ...