Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Rutte: If anyone deserves a royal honor, it is MH17 chairman Ploeg
Former Prime Minister Mark Rutte has expressed his support for Piet Ploeg, chairman of the MH17 Disaster Foundation, receiving a royal decoration. Rutte praised Ploeg's long-term commitment and empath...
Royal honor for director is recognition of tireless dedication, says Pride
Lucien Spee-Castillo Ruiz, the director of Pride Amsterdam, received a royal decoration on Friday in recognition of his dedicated efforts for the organization. The event's founders, who nominated him,...
Rotterdam once again has the most royal honors, decrease in Amsterdam
Rotterdam recorded the highest number of royal decorations in the Netherlands this year, with sixty residents receiving honors during the annual 'lintjesregen'. While Rotterdam's numbers increased com...
More honors for men, gap narrowing very slowly
Men continue to receive over 60% of Dutch royal honors, while women receive less than 40%. Although the gender gap is narrowing, the progress remains very slow.
Hegseth on blockade: dozens of ships stopped
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US Navy has intercepted 34 ships as part of an intensifying blockade on Iranian ports. Hegseth emphasized that no vessels may travel from the Strai...
Jetten witnessed heated debate among leaders over EU long-term budget
Prime Minister Rob Jetten reported that EU leaders held extensive and sometimes heated discussions regarding the 2028-2034 multi-annual budget during an informal summit in Cyprus. Jetten noted that th...
Welfare cuts reversed, funded by child benefit reductions
The Dutch cabinet has reversed a planned 30-million-euro annual cut to social assistance benefits. To fund this change, Minister Thierry Aartsen announced that child-related benefit schemes will be sc...
Entrepreneur Melis loses case: Judge rules Juliet Broersen (Volt) was allowed to make statements
A court ruled that Amsterdam Volt leader Juliet Broersen was within her rights to compare real estate entrepreneur Marcel Melis to Andrew Tate during a council debate. The judge emphasized the importa...
Entrepreneur Melis loses case: Juliet Broersen (Volt) was allowed to make statements, judge rules
A court ruled that Amsterdam Volt leader Juliet Broersen was within her rights to compare real estate entrepreneur Marcel Melis to Andrew Tate during a council debate. The judge found the remarks prot...
Royal honors: an award for extraordinary people
Mayor Halsema awarded 38 Royal decorations to residents of Amsterdam and Weesp during the annual ceremony at the Concertgebouw. These honors recognize individuals for their long-term volunteer work an...
Royal honors for Lucien Spee, Dolly Bellefleur and 36 other Amsterdammers
Mayor Halsema presented royal decorations to 38 Amsterdam residents at the Concertgebouw for their significant contributions to society and the city. Notable honorees include Pride director Lucien Spe...
Private holiday rentals shift from Amsterdam to the region, North Holland coastal towns gain popularity
A provincial study shows that private holiday rentals in North Holland are shifting from Amsterdam to surrounding regions due to stricter regulations in the capital. While Amsterdam's rental market st...
Zelensky back in Saudi Arabia for high-level talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Saudi Arabia for high-level talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The discussions focus on advancing bilateral agreements regarding securit...
China sends pandas to US ahead of Trump's visit to Beijing
China is sending two giant pandas to the Atlanta Zoo as a gesture of "panda diplomacy" ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing. The move highlights China's ongoing practice of using th...
Europe rejects alleged US plan to punish defiant allies
European NATO members have dismissed reports of a potential U.S. plan to penalize allies who do not follow its lead. While the United Kingdom stated it would not be pressured, Germany offered support ...
Preparations for paid parking in Ter Kleefkwartier begin
Starting March 1, 2027, paid parking will be implemented across the entire Ter Kleefkwartier neighborhood in Haarlem to manage high parking demand. The initiative is part of a broader city council pla...
Iranian Minister Abbas Araghchi expected in Islamabad Friday
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday for potential negotiations with the United States. A US delegation is reportedly already in the city to...
Cabinet to tackle fatbike nuisance with big words and another investigation
The Dutch government is moving forward with plans to establish specific regulations for fatbikes to address public nuisance, as outlined in the coalition agreement. Despite previous setbacks, Infrastr...
Amsterdam student corps board members can receive grants again
Gaming Authority intervenes: Gambling sites scrap own-goal bets over match-fixing risk
Following an intervention by the Dutch Gaming Authority (Ksa), two online gambling sites have removed betting options on own goals. The regulator prohibited these types of bets due to their high susce...
Heemstede gains six decorated residents and one Knight
Mayor Falgun Binnendijk presented seven royal honors to residents of Heemstede during the annual King's Day decorations ceremony on Friday. Six individuals were decorated for their contributions to so...
Information sessions for residents on better waste separation at Beverwijk City Hall. ‘Why does it have to change again?’
Residents of Beverwijk attended information sessions at the city hall to discuss upcoming changes to local waste separation policies. The meetings addressed community concerns regarding the introducti...
Betting on own goals prohibited: two betting sites remove offer
Two online gambling platforms have removed the option to bet on own goals following a warning from the Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit. The regulator stated that these types of bets are h...
Corrupt Amsterdam official ordered to pay €135,427 in criminal proceeds case
First sounding board group to meet in June about Tolweg asylum seekers' center
The first sounding board group, consisting of residents from Heemskerk and Uitgeest, will meet in June to discuss the asylum seekers' center on Tolweg. The meeting will focus specifically on the desig...
Hundreds of pills and two weapons in Marnixstraat home, premises closed
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has ordered the three-month closure of a residence on Marnixstraat after police discovered a significant cache of drugs, weapons, and cash. One resident was arrested foll...
State Secretary Erkens wants to make it easier to shoot wolves: ‘It’s a predator’
Dutch State Secretary for Agriculture Silvio Erkens is introducing new regulations to simplify the process of scaring away or shooting wolves with non-lethal ammunition. The policy aims to address the...
17-year-old boy arrested for explosion at Amsterdam Zuidas office
A 17-year-old boy from Uithoorn has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a March 16 explosion at the Atrium building in Amsterdam's Zuidas district. Police are currently investigating whethe...
Hoofddorp revitalizes Oranjebuurt with new housing by Ymere
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer and housing corporation Ymere have signed an intent agreement to renew the Oranjebuurt neighborhood in Hoofddorp. This collaboration marks a significant step toward ...
Van Weel: police investigating rioters at asylum center protests
Justice Minister David van Weel announced that police are investigating riots that occurred during asylum seeker center demonstrations near Loosdrecht this week. He suggested that these escalations ma...