Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Investigation into unsafe work culture at UWV training placements
The Registration Committee of Medical Specialists (RGS) has launched an investigation into the work culture at several UWV training locations. This decision follows reports of an unsafe working enviro...
Forum for Democracy floor leader Lidewij de Vos expecting
Lidewij de Vos, the group chair for Forum voor Democratie, has announced that she is expecting her first child. Her partner and fellow party member, Massimo Etalle, will be the father.
Solar panel owners face major setback in new energy contracts: how much your bill will rise
Dutch households with solar panels are facing energy bill increases of up to 500 euros as the favorable netting scheme is set to conclude at the end of the year. New energy contracts are becoming sign...
Concerns over ‘strange’ Box 3 real estate tax: ‘This feels unfair to many people’
Starting in 2028, real estate investors and vacation home owners in the Netherlands will face a new Box 3 tax addition even for properties that are vacant or used for personal purposes. Critics argue ...
Ambitious group of countries meet in Colombia: is the world phasing out fossil fuels?
More than fifty countries are meeting in Colombia this week to discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gas. This "coalition of the willing" aims to reach ambitious climate agr...
Haarlem opposition shows reluctance at coalition agreement input session: 'We are being taken for a ride'
Ten opposition parties in Haarlem expressed skepticism and reluctance during an input session organized by the forming coalition parties PRO, D66, and CDA. Opposition members felt the process was insi...
Simone Weimans convincingly shows the wounds of Dutch colonialism have not yet healed
Trump threatens UK with tariffs over tech tax
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose import tariffs on the United Kingdom if Keir Starmer's government does not abolish its digital services tax. Trump revealed his stance during an in...
Amsterdam UWV trainee doctors sound the alarm: ‘We have colleagues in tears’
Fewer first-time buyers on the housing market, most are immigrants
New data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that the number of starters on the housing market decreased from 560,000 in 2023 to 518,000 in 2024. The decline is notably driven by a 12 percent drop...
Not everyone in the Jordaan is looking forward to King's Day: My cafe is closing, my heart is breaking
Residents and business owners in Amsterdam's Jordaan neighborhood express mixed feelings about the upcoming King's Day celebrations, with some opting to close their doors due to overwhelming crowds. T...
OPZ, Jong and VVD to proceed as trio for Zandvoort coalition; Fred Teeven: ‘A fourth party would not add stability’
The political parties OPZ, Jong Zandvoort, and VVD will form a three-party coalition in Zandvoort without seeking a fourth partner. Informant Fred Teeven recommended this arrangement to ensure politic...
75 years ago former KNIL soldiers arrived at Javakade: ‘Need for recognition of the pain’
Video | King reflects on war during gala dinner in Amsterdam
Alderman wants deposit company to pay for new trash cans
Amsterdam Alderman Hester van Buren is requesting that deposit return organization Verpact pay ‐8 million for 8,000 new trash cans designed to reduce litter caused by people searching for deposit bo...
Beverwijk to seek new mayor as Martijn Smit unexpectedly steps down in September
Martijn Smit, the mayor of Beverwijk, unexpectedly announced his resignation during a city council meeting on Thursday evening. He will officially step down from his position in September, requiring t...
Images of mutilated soldiers as an indictment of war: Ernst Friedrich's War Against War feels unfortunately relevant again
National figures assist Gorinchem re-election campaign: ‘Not entirely fair’
National politicians and cabinet members are visiting Gorinchem to support local party branches ahead of the April 29 re-elections. Everdien Hamann of the local party Gorcum Actief has criticized this...
New rental opportunities in Beverwijk: At least 50 percent of homes to go to residents of Beverwijk or Heemskerk
Construction has begun on 82 social rental homes in Beverwijk as part of the "De Groene Tuinen" development project. The initiative aims to increase housing availability and neighborhood greenery, wit...
Asylum Minister promises law to punish return obstructors
Dutch Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink has promised to introduce legislation that criminalizes the obstruction of deportation by individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected. The announc...
Government aims to reduce US dependency, opts for German cloud platform
The Dutch government has partnered with the German cloud platform STACKIT to reduce its reliance on American technology companies. This initiative aims to make it easier for government organizations t...
Cabinet reverses income support cuts for the poor again
The Dutch government has reversed a planned €30 million cut to income support following a request from the House of Representatives. Political parties argued that municipalities must continue active...
From ignored to embraced: will the minority cabinet now also look to GroenLinks-PvdA for support?
The Dutch minority cabinet is beginning to engage more with the left-wing GroenLinks-PvdA opposition after previously favoring right-wing partners. This shift is highlighted by the cabinet's recent ad...
Grand dinner with King and foreign diplomats at Royal Palace Amsterdam tonight
King Willem-Alexander is hosting an annual dinner for the diplomatic corps tonight at the Royal Palace on Dam Square in Amsterdam. The event aims to strengthen international relations and features a t...
Hillegom board installed: young faces and fresh energy. ‘I’ve been able to turn my hobby into my job’
Hillegom has inaugurated a new municipal executive, featuring one of the youngest groups of aldermen in the Netherlands. The installation occurred on Wednesday evening during the presentation of the t...
US federal government eases marijuana policy
The U.S. Department of Justice has reclassified marijuana from a Class I to a Class III drug, easing federal restrictions on the substance. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the change will ma...
Fewer cannabis plantations dismantled and far fewer drug waste dumping sites
Health Minister Hermans defends one hamburger a week: ‘People can choose for themselves whether to buy an apple or a banana’
Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans defended the updated 'Schijf van Vijf' nutritional guidelines against criticism from right-wing political parties who argue the advice prioritizes climate goals ov...
Amsterdam angry as Schiphol lowers fees due to fuel crisis: ‘A smaller airport only comes about through fair prices’
Zandvoort must take measures against noise nuisance at Theater De Krocht
The North Holland District Court has ordered the municipality of Zandvoort to implement measures within five months to address noise nuisance from Theater De Krocht. The ruling follows complaints abou...