Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Dam Square closed on June 9 and 17 for state visits
Dam Square and surrounding streets in Amsterdam will be temporarily closed on June 9 and 17 to accommodate state visits by the President of Germany and the Emperor of Japan. These measures are necessa...
Vijlbrief puts knife to meat industry's throat: agency worker ban looms in two weeks
Minister Hans Vijlbrief has issued a two-week deadline for the meat processing industry to address labor abuses or face a ban on hiring temporary workers. This measure aims to compel slaughterhouses a...
New European tech package: more data centers and less dependence on Big Tech
The European Commission has introduced a new package of technology regulations aimed at reducing the continent's dependence on American big tech companies. The initiative focuses on promoting homegrow...
Economists expect petrol to reach 2.82 euros per liter and energy bills to rise by 40 euros per month
Economists predict that gasoline prices could rise to 2.82 euros per liter this summer due to the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Furthermore, new energy contracts are expected to increase...
Cheap summer train subscription starts a week early: Off-peak travel for 49 euros a month from June 15
A discounted summer train subscription offering off-peak travel for 49 euros per month will now take effect on June 15, one week earlier than the originally planned June 21 start date. This adjustment...
Rapper Ye is already in Amsterdam, entry can no longer be denied
Zaanstad receives extra funding to tackle subsiding homes with wooden foundations
The municipality of Zaanstad has received 1 million euros from the Dutch government to address foundation problems in homes with wooden foundations. This funding will be specifically used to accelerat...
US threatens new import tariffs on EU and dozens of other economies
The United States is threatening to impose new import tariffs on products from sixty economies, including the European Union, Canada, and China. The U.S. claims these regions are not doing enough to p...
Greenpeace allowed to challenge multi-million dollar US fine in the Netherlands
The Amsterdam District Court has ruled that it is competent to hear a legal challenge by Greenpeace against a US court order to pay nearly 300 million euros in damages to Energy Transfer. This decisio...
Lonneke from Hillegom outraged by large-scale mowing of colorful flower strips in Heemstede: 'I couldn't believe it'
Lonneke Poels from Hillegom expressed outrage after the municipality of Heemstede mowed down vibrant wildflower strips along the Leidsevaart while they were in full bloom. She criticized the timing of...
Penalty payments for long-waiting benefit scandal parents temporarily suspended
Victims of the Dutch childcare benefits scandal seeking compensation currently face average wait times of over two years for a decision. Despite these significant delays, the Benefits Service will tem...
National snack bar association ProFri outraged by Haarlem fast-food ban in new district: 'Local arbitrariness'
The national snack bar association ProFri has expressed outrage over the city of Haarlem's plan to prohibit fast food outlets in the new Hart voor Oostpoort neighborhood. Director Sven Flapper labeled...
Live blog reactions to coalition agreement: Good steps, but the handbrake stays on
PRO Amsterdam and D66 have presented a new four-year coalition agreement for Amsterdam that features civil service cuts, the cancellation of a planned erotic center, and a freeze on property tax incre...
Son of columnist Yesim Candan attacked with chain lock after football column in Het Parool
The son of columnist Yesim Candan was attacked and injured with a chain lock in Amsterdam on Tuesday evening. Candan believes the assault is linked to a critical column she recently wrote about the mu...
‘Divine Comedy’ is a biting indictment of the Iranian film industry, even its light tone is a middle finger
How Amsterdam elected a drunk homeless man as city councilor
Cornelis de Gelder, a homeless man known as Hadjememaar, was elected to the Amsterdam city council after receiving more than 13,000 votes. Despite his struggles with alcoholism and homelessness, his c...
Velsen installs temporary lighting along dark Kanaaldijk and sends bill to Rijkswaterstaat
The municipality of Velsen is installing temporary lighting along the Kanaaldijk because Rijkswaterstaat has failed to repair defective streetlights. Velsen plans to charge the national infrastructure...
Party leaders Pels and Van der Horst: ‘People just want shit sorted’
These are the key plans from the Amsterdam coalition agreement
These will be Amsterdam’s aldermen for the next four years: five new faces
The new governing coalition in Amsterdam, consisting of PRO Amsterdam and D66, has announced its nine proposed aldermen for the upcoming four-year term. The new executive board features five new faces...
Tax authority does not have to pay penalty payments to benefit parents for now
The Dutch Council of State has ruled that the government is temporarily exempt from paying penalty payments to victims of the childcare benefit scandal who are facing delays in compensation decisions....
Global economic growth slows this year and remains under pressure
The OECD reported on Wednesday that global economic growth is facing increasing pressure due to the conflict in the Middle East. This downward trend suggests that worldwide economic expansion will be ...
Minister on protests: 'We're not going to say: we don't like this protest, so end it'
The Dutch cabinet has concluded its review on how to handle demonstrations that escalate, with Justice Minister David van Weel emphasizing that no simple solution exists. He stated that the government...
75 municipal reports on demolition, tree felling and hospitality in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 75 permit applications last week concerning demolition projects, tree felling, and catering establishments. Residents are encouraged to review the official notice...
Better support for Amsterdam prisoners returning to society
Amsterdam is providing guidance to inmates during their detention to increase the likelihood of a successful return to society. This initiative aims to support prisoners before their release to ensure...
Housing construction no longer taboo in Provincially Protected Landscapes: ‘Building allowed in the pink areas of North Holland’
Deputy Esther Rommel announced that housing construction is no longer prohibited in North Holland's Provincially Protected Landscapes. These designated areas, previously off-limits for development, ar...
Vast majority of parking fines in Amsterdam last year were justified, city says
Residents can stay in containers at Puikman in Castricum for three months longer
Residents of temporary container homes in Castricum have received a three-month lease extension, allowing them to stay at the Puikman location until September 30, 2026. The municipal council was infor...
Ban on face coverings at demonstrations uncertain after criticism
The Dutch cabinet is exploring alternatives to a proposed ban on face coverings at demonstrations following significant criticism of the plan. Ministers Pieter Heerma and David van Weel informed the H...
Arib: House of Representatives was not prepared for a pandemic
Former House Speaker Khadija Arib testified before a parliamentary inquiry committee that the Dutch House of Representatives was unprepared for a pandemic at the start of 2020. Her statements were mad...