Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Pride and traveler culture on UNESCO heritage shortlist
The Dutch Council for Culture has shortlisted five heritage elements, including Pride and caravan culture, for potential nomination to UNESCO's international intangible heritage list. Education Minist...
Sheher Khan, Denk lead candidate: ‘We bring the perspective of the outer neighborhoods to city hall’
US House also votes against resolution to limit Trump's power
The United States House of Representatives has rejected a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's authority to wage war against Iran. This decision follows a similar vote by the Senate o...
Trump: Iran wants to make a deal
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Iran has contacted the United States to negotiate a new agreement. During a meeting with the Inter Miami soccer team at the White House, Trump remarke...
Vijlbrief: Emotion over breaking pension agreement underestimated
Minister Hans Vijlbrief admitted that the Dutch cabinet underestimated the emotional response to breaking an agreement within the national pension accord. Speaking on the talk show 'Pauw & De Wit,' he...
Support for defense billions also met with criticism: 'Actually meant for state pensions'
Most political parties in the Dutch House of Representatives support the allocation of billions of additional euros to Defense, though concerns remain regarding the funding source and how the money wi...
Europol warns of increased threat to EU due to Iran war
Europol has warned that rising tensions in the Middle East, specifically involving Iran, pose a direct threat to the security of the European Union. The agency noted an increased risk of terrorism, or...
NATO reinforces missile defense after Iranian missile fired toward Turkey
NATO has bolstered its ballistic missile defense systems due to increased Iranian attacks in the Middle East. This decision follows the interception of a missile heading toward Turkey, a NATO member s...
Cabinet will not implement motion for extra funds for Ukraine
The Dutch cabinet has decided not to provide additional financial support to Ukraine this year, despite a motion from the House of Representatives. Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz explained that the...
French evacuation plane forced to turn back due to Middle East rocket fire
A French government-chartered Air France flight bound for the United Arab Emirates was forced to turn back on Thursday evening due to rocket fire in the region. French Transport Minister Philippe Taba...
Minister Yesilgöz: ‘Defense will not overstep into Foreign Affairs, or vice versa’
Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgöz stated that the roles of the Defense and Foreign Affairs ministries have become more balanced and complementary. She addressed concerns about overlapping responsibilit...
Students debate at KSH Secondary School: 'It's not just about what you say, but especially how you say it'
Students at KSH Scholengemeenschap participated in a youth debate held in the school's auditorium. The event highlighted that young people have significant insights to share, emphasizing the importanc...
Israel claims to have destroyed the lion's share of Iranian air defenses
Israeli General Eyal Zamir stated that recent military strikes have disabled approximately 80 percent of Iran's air defense systems. The operations, conducted by Israel and the United States, also rep...
Form for stranded Dutch citizens filled out 9,000 times so far
The Dutch government's contact form for citizens stranded in the Middle East has been filled out at least 9,000 times. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the data and noted t...
Musical plea at Bloemendaal town hall to save the Ark
The Haarlems Straatorkest performed at the Bloemendaal city hall on Thursday to support the Ark residential community, whose six residents are set to lose their home on May 31. The group is seeking as...
250 addresses in Badhoevedorp and Lijnden did not receive voting passes, PostNL apologizes
PostNL has issued an apology after an investigation revealed that residents of three streets in Badhoevedorp and Lijnden likely did not receive their voting passes in late February. The delivery failu...
Kristi Noem out as US Homeland Security Secretary
US President Donald Trump announced that Kristi Noem will step down as Secretary of Homeland Security. She is set to be succeeded by Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin in late March, though the reaso...
Between Art and Voting with Tofik Dibi (Bij1) and Johan Dessing (FvD)
Amsterdam political candidates Tofik Dibi and Johan Dessing participated in the program 'Tussen Kunst en Kies' to create street art ahead of the municipal elections. Dibi left the session early after ...
Four major cities receive another €7 million to boost vaccination rates
EU Commissioner: EU must be prepared for influx of refugees
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated that the European Union must be prepared on all fronts for a potential influx of refugees from the Middle East. While there is currently no surge in mig...
Zelensky says US asked for help against Iranian drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the United States has requested assistance from his country to improve defenses against Iranian drones. The request aims to enhance resilience agains...
French president calls for Lebanon to be kept out of the war
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged international efforts to prevent a new war in Lebanon amidst ongoing Israeli airstrikes against the Hezbollah movement. The conflict has already forced hundr...
CARE: panic in Beirut after Israeli evacuation call
Panic has spread across Beirut's southern suburbs following an evacuation order from the Israeli military, reported aid organization CARE. Residents are struggling to evacuate homes and hospitals as t...
Veggie burgers can keep their name, but vegetarian chicken and steak will soon be banned
The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement to restrict the use of meat-related terms for plant-based products. While terms like "veggie burger" and "tofu sausage" will remain ...
Revolt in BBB party: 60 prominent figures want Mona Keijzer back
Sixty prominent members of the BBB party have sent a formal letter to the party's board demanding the immediate return of former Deputy Prime Minister Mona Keijzer. The group is calling for independen...
Iran: Over 500 missiles fired since war with US and Israel
Iran claims to have launched over 500 missiles and at least 2,000 drones since the beginning of its conflict with the United States and Israel. According to the Fars news agency, approximately 40 perc...
Mayor Wienen: Support for Haarlem refugees remains 'responsible' despite budget cuts
Mayor Jos Wienen stated that refugees in Haarlem continue to receive sufficient support for their asylum applications and integration, despite national budget cuts. This response follows concerns rais...
Experts surprised by cabinet response to US VAT software: ‘Distraction’
Experts are criticizing the Dutch government's decision to hire an American software company to manage VAT collection, calling the official justifications a diversionary maneuver. While State Secretar...
Netherlands works with other countries on asylum seeker return hubs
The Netherlands is collaborating with a group of EU countries, including Austria, Greece, Germany, and Denmark, to establish return hubs for rejected asylum seekers outside of the European Union. Mini...
Build, build, build: Hundreds of new homes per year in Velsen
The municipality of Velsen has prioritized housing and livability in its 2022-2026 council program. Since 2022, 530 new homes have been completed, with an additional 1,250 units planned for the coming...