Politics News in English

Alderman refuses to use ferrets against rats: "Less animal-friendly"

Amsterdam Alderman Alexander Scholtes has rejected a proposal to use ferrets for rat control, arguing that current trapping methods are more animal-friendly and cost-effective. The city plans to prior...

Right-wing Fujimori takes lead in Peru presidential election

Conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori has taken a razor-thin lead in the Peruvian presidential election with 98.2% of the votes counted. She currently holds 50.001% of the vote against 49.999% for her...

Beverwijk faces deficit of over 6 million: 'How do we ensure a financially sustainable municipality without dismantling the social foundation?'

The municipality of Beverwijk is facing a projected budget deficit of over 6 million euros in the coming years, primarily due to rising costs in youth care. While the town is currently in a stable fin...

Iran completely closes Strait of Hormuz after US attacks

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz following recent United States military strikes in southern Iran. This escalation was reported by Iranian sta...

First drop in international students in the Netherlands since 2006

The number of international students in the Netherlands has decreased for the first time since 2006, with 129,764 students currently enrolled in higher education. This figure represents a slight decli...

From Esmah Lahlah to Hendrik Jan Biemond – nine aldermen officially sworn in by city council: ‘I commit myself to this city’

Berendsen: positive signals on EU settlement import ban

Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen told the House of Representatives that there are positive signals regarding a potential EU import ban on products from illegal Israeli settlements. Discuss...

Tablets ready in Ter Apel for start of EU migration pact

The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) in Ter Apel has prepared tablets and new service counters for the implementation of the European asylum and migration pact starting this Friday. ...

Second day of unrest in Northern Ireland

Protesters in Northern Ireland have clashed with police for a second consecutive day following a stabbing incident in Belfast that left a victim seriously injured. The unrest is fueled by dissatisfact...

Putin signs asset seizure law targeting critics who fled

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows the government to seize the assets of critics who have fled the country. The legislation, reported by The Moscow Times, is scheduled to ta...

Majority of Amsterdam council votes for PRO and D66 coalition agreement

The Amsterdam city council has approved a new coalition agreement between PRO Amsterdam and D66. The agreement passed with a majority of 25 out of 45 seats, supported by the coalition parties while th...

Friesland calls on cabinet to phase out gas extraction in the province

Residents and administrators in the Dutch province of Friesland are calling on the national cabinet to phase out gas extraction in the region. Provincial Executive Friso Douwstra conveyed this message...

First trial by fire for PRO and D66: opposition calls it a ‘pass-on agreement’

Bertram not currently disclosing locations contaminated with PFAS

State Secretary Annet Bertram has announced that the central government will not yet release a map of locations contaminated with PFAS, delegating the responsibility to local authorities. Despite pres...

Bloemendaal politicians reluctant to renovate Oude Trambaan cycle path: ‘Spending millions for twenty busy beach days a year’

Politicians in Bloemendaal are divided over a proposed 1.7 million euro renovation of the Oude Trambaan bicycle path connecting Aerdenhout and Zandvoort. Several parties have expressed concerns that t...

320 million in subsidies still available for home sustainability, mostly going to highest incomes

Subsidies for making homes more sustainable in the Netherlands are predominantly being used by high-income households earning over 100,000 euros per year. Approximately 320 million euros remain availa...

Forecast: Over 32,000 charging stations needed in Haarlem for fully electric driving by 2050

Haarlem will require more than 32,000 charging points by 2050 to support a complete transition to electric driving and meet European CO2 standards. The total energy needed for these stations is estima...

New entrepreneur should have known about Pavilion Het Witte Huis exit: 'Building must be empty by August 31,' alderman repeats

The Haarlem city council has reiterated that the operator of Pavilion Het Witte Huis must vacate the building by August 31st. Officials stated the entrepreneur should have been aware of the deadline a...

Critical questions during debate on Amsterdam coalition agreement

The Amsterdam City Council is debating a new coalition agreement formed between the PRO Amsterdam and D66 parties. Negotiator Zita Pels characterized the deal as a 'nice left-wing' agreement and prais...

US and allies condemn Iranian Guard plots

The United States and allies, including the Netherlands, have issued a joint statement condemning alleged lethal conspiracies by the Iranian Quds Force. The statement claims that this elite foreign br...

Koolmees felt uneasy about the introduction of the curfew

Former Dutch Minister Wouter Koolmees revealed he experienced physical distress regarding the implementation of the COVID-19 curfew in January 2021. He expressed concerns that the measure would lead t...

Koolmees: cabinet tensions during second corona wave

Former Minister Wouter Koolmees told a parliamentary inquiry committee that tensions rose within the Dutch cabinet during the second COVID-19 wave in late 2020. Despite internal disagreements and hars...

Introducing Amsterdam's new city executive

On Wednesday, June 10, the Amsterdam City Council officially appointed and swore in nine new aldermen. This formation establishes the city's new board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Three arrests after Belfast riots, public life disrupted

British authorities have arrested three individuals following riots in Belfast, Northern Ireland, that significantly disrupted public life. Security Minister Dan Jarvis informed Parliament of the arre...

3,100 kg of illegal fruit tobacco found at Westpoort industrial estate

UN human rights chief sends investigative mission to Lebanon

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk is deploying an investigative mission to Lebanon to examine potential violations of international law. The probe will focus on the ongoing conflict between Israel an...

NGO: 1,300 migrants have already died en route to Spain this year

According to the human rights organization Caminando Fronteras, more than 1,300 migrants died in the first five months of this year while attempting to reach the Spanish coast. The figures were releas...

Pepper spray remains banned: minister finds it too dangerous for women themselves

Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel has decided that pepperspray will remain a prohibited weapon, despite earlier considerations to legalize it for self-defense against sexual violence. The minister...

Kleverpark residents read rat report very differently than Alderman Berkhout: '79 urgent sewer measures needed, judge for yourself'

Residents of the Kleverpark neighborhood in Haarlem are disputing Alderman Robbert Berkhout's claim that the local sewer system is not causing the area's rat infestation. Citing a recent research repo...

Jetten: leading with Germany for a stronger Europe

During a state visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Prime Minister Rob Jetten emphasized that the Netherlands and Germany will work together to lead the way toward a stronger and more de...