Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
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 ...
Polish PM believes Ukraine wants to de-escalate after row
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Ukraine is committed to improving its tense relationship with Poland. This announcement followed discussions between the foreign ministers of both countri...
Uproar in Belgium over exam question describing Leopold II as a 'shrewd strategist'
A controversy has emerged in Belgium over a school exam question that describes King Leopold II as a 'shrewd strategist'. Critics are upset because the question fails to mention the atrocities committ...
Mandatory internship compensation, but no minimum amount
The Dutch cabinet has decided that all students will be entitled to a mandatory internship allowance in the future. However, the government has not set a minimum amount, allowing for significant varia...
Former top official: curfew was proposed due to student housing
Former senior official Hanneke Schipper-Spanninga testified that the implementation of a curfew was first considered in September 2020 due to difficulties in enforcing coronavirus regulations within s...
Interpol seeks Ukrainian woman (39) after Monaco bombing
Interpol has issued a red notice for 39-year-old Ukrainian national Anastasiia Berezovska in connection with a recent bombing in Monaco. Reports suggest the suspect was recently spotted in Germany, wh...
Possible traffic fine increases may violate European law
The Advocate General has advised the Supreme Court that significant increases in traffic fines may conflict with European law. The advice argues that individuals who are unable to pay should not be su...
Former senior official: logical that OMT advice was leading
Former senior civil servant Hanneke Schipper-Spanninga testified before the parliamentary inquiry committee on coronavirus that it was logical for OMT recommendations to guide government policy. She e...
Former senior official: cabinet had to deal with clashing fundamental rights
Former senior official Hanneke Schipper-Spanninga testified to the parliamentary inquiry committee that the Dutch cabinet faced the challenge of balancing conflicting fundamental rights when formulati...
Ironically, the appointment of the district administrators will likely prove the simplest part of the reform
Much criticism of Castricum coalition agreement: 'many ambitions, but few real choices'. 'This is emptying the municipal treasury'
Opposition parties in Castricum have criticized the new coalition agreement for being overly ambitious while lacking clear decision-making. Despite the criticism regarding financial management, all pa...
Zelensky: rescue operations continue in Kyiv following Russian attack
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that rescue operations are ongoing in Kyiv following a major Russian attack on the capital. While emergency responders have cleared significant amounts ...
Reinier van Zutphen to step down as National Ombudsman
Watch along: corona hearing with senior official who had to weigh fundamental rights
Legislative lawyer Hanneke Schippers-Spanninga and 'Vrouwen voor Vrijheid' co-founder Romy Quint are testifying on the 16th day of public corona hearings. The hearings focus on the evaluation of funda...
First public appearance by Iranian Guard commander since war began
Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, has made his first public appearance in Tehran since the recent conflict with the US and Israel. During the event, he paid tribute to the la...
Deaths in Ukraine following new Russian attacks
Recent overnight Russian attacks in Ukraine have resulted in at least four deaths and ten injuries, according to local authorities. These strikes mark a continued escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Newspaper: investigation into damage in Brussels after large US party
Authorities in Belgium are investigating reports of property damage at the Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels following a large party hosted by U.S. Ambassador Bill White. The newspaper Het N...
FVD and Liberaal Blauw claim opposition role outside Velsen council agreement; coalition parties deny alliance
In the municipal council of Velsen, political parties are debating the nature of their cooperation, with FVD and Liberaal Blauw claiming an opposition role outside of the council agreement. The situat...
Heemstede council keeps purse strings tight despite healthy savings. Funds reserved for sports facilities, primary schools, and town hall
The municipal council of Heemstede has opted for financial restraint during the budget framework discussions, despite the town's currently healthy financial position. All proposals requesting addition...
In the 1970s, Grote Bickersstraat was a disaster to live in. What did the municipality do? Only fix the facades
IJmond receives most funding from traffic safety budget. 2.6 million from the province for safer roads
The province of Noord-Holland is awarding 5.8 million euros in subsidies to ten municipalities to improve road safety and develop cycling routes. The IJmond region will receive the largest share, tota...
Ministry of Defence invests tens of millions in drone company and takes golden share option for the first time
The Dutch Ministry of Defence is investing tens of millions of euros into Intelic, an Amsterdam-based company specializing in drone control software. As part of this deal, the ministry will secure a '...
Former Olympic canoeist charged with vandalism of Reflecting Pool
Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn has been charged with property damage following allegations that he damaged the Reflecting Pool in Washington. The 67-year-old suspect has previously denied intenti...
COA closes emergency shelter in Apeldoorn after asbestos discovery
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has temporarily closed an emergency shelter in Apeldoorn following the discovery of asbestos. The municipality of Apeldoorn confirmed the c...
House supports bill regulating voting booth assistance
The Dutch House of Representatives has approved a new law that allows voters who require assistance to receive help from a polling station worker inside the voting booth. This measure expands existing...
UN aid truck attacked in Sudan
A United Nations truck transporting 50 tons of humanitarian aid was attacked by a drone in Sudan. The UN confirmed the incident, resulting in the total loss of the relief supplies.
COA and Egeria keep reason for split over Zijlweg 245 asylum center secret. 'Not appropriate'
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) and property owner Egeria have declined to disclose why negotiations regarding the establishment of an asylum center at Zijlweg 245 in Haar...
Will there be an asylum seekers' center in the horror apartment, and what will happen to the dog tax? Follow the live debate on Haarlem's finances here
The Haarlem city council is holding a debate on the framework memorandum, covering topics such as the dog tax, fireworks policies, and the potential establishment of an asylum seekers' center at Zijlw...
Cabinet wants all primary school students in grade 8 to take the same final test
State Secretary Judith Tielen has announced plans to implement a single standardized assessment for all eighth-grade primary school students in the Netherlands starting in the 2029/2030 school year. T...
Only one primary school exit test by 2030, later than Parliament wanted
Starting from the 2029/2030 school year, primary school students in the Netherlands will take a single standardized exit test instead of multiple versions. State Secretary Judith Tielen announced this...