Politics News in English

Heemskerk coalition agreement in the works, Heerschop also acting as formateur

The political parties Heemskerk Lokaal, Hart voor Heemskerk, and the CDA have officially begun drafting a coalition agreement for the municipality of Heemskerk. Karen Heerschop, who previously served ...

CNV draws red line on social security: scrap billion-euro plan before talks

CNV chairman Hans van den Heuvel has announced that the trade union will refuse to negotiate with the Dutch cabinet until planned multi-billion euro cuts to social security are scrapped. He argues tha...

European Parliament remains in Strasbourg despite energy crisis

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has rejected a request from several Dutch MEPs to temporarily halt monthly sessions in Strasbourg to save energy. The MEPs from various Dutch political pa...

Number of crack incidents in Amsterdam doubles in five years, police blame rogue recruitment agencies

Bolstoren construction project in Nieuw-Vennep to proceed, developer granted permit: 'By acting now, we limit further delay'

The municipality of Haarlemmermeer has granted an environmental permit for the renovation of the iconic Bolstoren in Nieuw-Vennep. This allows the developer to officially proceed with the project, whi...

Kallas: No return to old situation with Russia

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that there can be no return to previous relations with Russia, even after the war in Ukraine concludes. She made these remarks following a ministerial meetin...

NL-Alert is not working well. ‘It is being addressed. It used to be even worse’

The Dutch emergency notification system NL-Alert is currently experiencing technical issues, leading to instances where users receive incorrect alerts. Authorities are working to resolve the problems ...

ECB leaves interest rates unchanged despite higher inflation from Middle East war

The European Central Bank decided on Thursday to leave interest rates in the eurozone unchanged despite rising inflation caused by conflict in the Middle East. Policymakers in Frankfurt determined tha...

Italy calls for release of Italian flotilla passengers

Italy has formally requested the immediate release of its citizens who were detained by the Israeli navy while traveling with the Global Summud Flotilla aid fleet toward Gaza. The fleet was intercepte...

Brussels must investigate Chinese acquisition of MediaMarkt and Saturn

The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to investigate the potential acquisition of Ceconomy AG, the parent company of MediaMarkt and Saturn, by the Chinese firm JD.com. The move...

Scaled-back Red Square parade bolsters Ukraine allies

Ukraine's allies view Russia's decision to scale back its annual military parade on Red Square as evidence that Moscow is not winning the conflict. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Latvia's for...

London suspect was known to terrorism prevention program

The suspect involved in a stabbing in London's Golders Green was previously known to a government-led anti-terrorism prevention program. This initiative is designed to intervene and prevent individual...

Fewer than 2,000 asylum seekers in Ter Apel for first time in weeks

The number of asylum seekers at the Ter Apel registration center has dropped below 2,000 for the first time in weeks. This decrease follows the opening of multiple temporary reception centers designed...

Subsidy for small cultural institutions

Small cultural institutions in Haarlem with fewer than three full-time employees can apply for a subsidy of up to €30,000 starting April 30, 2026. The city has allocated €500,000 for investments i...

Khamenei: US plans thwarted, new chapter begins

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared that the United States has been defeated and that the Persian Gulf is entering a new phase under Iranian leadership. The message was broadcast on Irani...

US 'Hormuz coalition' could welcome Lithuania

Lithuania is considering joining a United States-led maritime security coalition to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Baltic nation is already a participant in a separate European-led miss...

Russia says it will not withdraw from Mali

Russia has confirmed it will maintain its military presence in Mali to support the ruling junta against separatist groups. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia remains committed to co...

Brussels: US troops in Europe also in US interest

A European Commission spokesperson stated that the presence of U.S. troops in Europe serves American interests, responding to President Donald Trump's threat to withdraw forces from Germany. The threa...

Merz reaffirms importance of transatlantic bond during troop visit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed the importance of the transatlantic partnership and Germany's commitment to NATO during a visit to troops in Lower Saxony. His remarks follow statements by ...

Former President Duterte appeals decision to prosecute him

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appealed the International Criminal Court's decision to prosecute him for alleged crimes against humanity. Following his arrest in early 2025, Duterte i...

Still unclear if military exercise caused wildfire

The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is investigating whether a military exercise at the 't Harde training ground caused a large wildfire on the Veluwe. While on-site research cannot begin until the fir...

Lebanese President accuses Israel of more ceasefire violations

Lebanese official Joseph Aoun has accused Israel of continuous ceasefire violations in southern Lebanon, citing ongoing destruction and loss of life. On Thursday afternoon, the Israeli military issued...

Inspectorate warns against benefit mediation agencies making mistakes

The Dutch inspection service is warning against benefit mediation agencies that frequently provide incorrect information, leading to errors in applications. These mistakes often result in young people...

Municipality of Haarlem offers subsidies to small cultural institutions

The municipality of Haarlem has introduced a 500,000 euro subsidy fund to support small cultural institutions with investments in their housing and facilities. Eligible organizations can apply for the...

Media: controversial Russian grain ship will not be unloaded in Israel

Israel has reportedly refused to unload a shipment of grain suspected to have been stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories by Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri Sybiha welcomed the decision, ...

Ban on extracting water from ditches in parts of Brabant due to drought

The Brabantse Delta water board has banned water extraction from streams and ditches in parts of Central and West Brabant due to ongoing drought. This ban, which took effect on Thursday morning across...

Lennert Böhmer wants to be the humanist idealist of CDA Haarlem. 'We must not be an inward-looking club'

Lennert Böhmer, the new group chairman of CDA Haarlem, aims to revitalize the party by making it more outward-looking and dynamic. He is currently involved in negotiations with PRO and D66 to form a ...

Ukrainian military leadership sets time limit on front-line deployment

Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrsky has ordered a two-month limit on the consecutive deployment of front-line soldiers in the war against Russia. This measure is intended to address welfare concerns fo...

Government abandons wage freeze in new pay offer to civil servants

The Dutch government has issued a new collective labor agreement offer to civil servants, abandoning a controversial wage freeze that led to months of strikes. This updated proposal aims to address un...

Zelensky wants to hear from US what Russia wants with temporary ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking clarification from the United States regarding a Russian proposal for a temporary ceasefire. This follows a conversation between U.S. President Donald...