Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Comedian 'rejected' in Castricum finds new venue in Uitgeest: 'Freedom of speech is a great asset'
Comedian Rogier Kahlmann has moved his upcoming performance to Dorpshuis de Zwaan in Uitgeest after being barred from Theater Koningsduyn in Castricum for his "polarizing statements." The show is sche...
Judge who filed thousands of FOI requests barred from hearing cases
A judge from the Noord-Holland District Court has been suspended from presiding over cases until further notice after personally filing more than 4,000 public records requests with municipalities thro...
Beverwijk honors Father Wim van der Geest with street name
Mayor Martijn Smit officially unveiled the street name "Wim van der Geesthof" on April 21 to honor Father Wim van der Geest. The tribute recognizes his significant contributions to assisting people in...
Amsterdam tightens King's Day rules again: alcohol fines could be substantial
Amsterdam is tightening regulations for King's Day celebrations this year to address the "anything goes" atmosphere in the city. Mayor Femke Halsema announced stricter rules and higher fines for illeg...
Retirement age rises: the average age Dutch people stop working
The average retirement age in the Netherlands rose to 66 years and 4 months in 2025, an increase of two and a half months compared to the previous year. This shift brings the actual retirement age clo...
Zandvoort grants Bernie’s Beachclub another extension despite previous harsh words: ‘The situation is complex’
The Zandvoort municipal council has granted Bernie's Beachclub another extension despite a previously set ultimatum passing four months ago. This marks the ninth consecutive year that no construction ...
Council for the Judiciary: concerns over legislative diligence
The Dutch Council for the Judiciary expressed concerns in its 2025 annual report regarding the declining quality and diligence of the legislative process. The council warned that these pressures could...
If it weren't so sad, you'd almost laugh at the propaganda in Russian primary schools
US: 31 ships stopped in blockade of Iranian ports
The United States military command, CENTCOM, reported that 31 ships were stopped during a blockade of Iranian ports. These vessels were ordered to either turn back or return to their points of origin.
70-year-old Haarlem man guilty of group insult against Jews for website articles
A 70-year-old man from Haarlem has been convicted of group insult for publishing antisemitic articles on the website wanttoknow.nl in 2022. The court ordered him to pay a 500-euro fine, matching the p...
Grief for Ali (23) killed by bomb after returning to Lebanon: "Should never have happened"
Friends of 23-year-old Ali Dia have established a memorial in Amsterdam after he was killed by an Israeli bombing in Lebanon following his return from the Netherlands. Dia, who lived in Amsterdam for ...
Toos & Henk - April 23
Cartoonist Paul Kusters provides his unique perspective on current events through the daily comic strip 'Toos & Henk'. The strip is published every day from Monday through Saturday.
Multiple killed and wounded in Russian attack on Dnipro
A Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro resulted in at least two deaths and eight injuries. One person remains missing following the strike.
Domestic violence reports to Veilig Thuis rise again
Veilig Thuis and the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) reported a rise in domestic violence and child abuse cases in the Netherlands, with 136,000 reports filed last year. This marks an increase fro...
Pension funds have smaller buffers due to war in Middle East
The funding ratios of major Dutch pension funds ABP and PME have declined due to financial market instability linked to the conflict in the Middle East. This decrease could result in less capital bein...
Iran 'fully prepared' to participate in World Cup
Iran's national football team is fully prepared to participate in the upcoming World Cup this summer despite the ongoing war. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed the team's readiness ...
Deeply upset Gerard Metselaar says he was forced to leave Hart voor Bloemendaal before the elections: 'But I had to stay for the votes'
Gerard Metselaar alleges he was forced to leave the Hart voor Bloemendaal party prior to the elections following reports of his involvement in drinking sessions at the town hall. He claims the party l...
'Limited consequences for Velsen if pumping station fails', says Velsen executive in response to council questions
The Velsen municipal executive stated that the impact on the municipality would be relatively limited if the pumping station at the mouth of the North Sea Canal were to fail. This statement was issued...
Oil prices rise on uncertain ceasefire prospects
Oil prices have risen for the fourth consecutive day due to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The struggle for control of the strategic waterway has led to...
For sale signs appearing more often and staying longer on luxury holiday homes as oversupply drives down prices, especially in coastal areas
The luxury holiday home market in the Netherlands is cooling down, with a record number of properties listed for sale due to stricter tax measures. This oversupply is leading to falling prices after y...
US Navy Secretary leaves post immediately
US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has resigned from his position effective immediately, according to an announcement from the Pentagon. No official explanation has been provided for the sudden depa...
Jetten maneuvers through fierce debate with cheap train ticket promise and soothing words
Minister Jetten navigated a heated parliamentary debate by promising cheap public transport tickets for the summer to secure opposition support. Despite calls for more fuel price compensation, the Dut...
Attack on rescue workers during rescue attempt of journalist in Lebanon
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least two people and injured journalists and aid workers. The casualties occurred during a rescue attempt for a journalist following an attack in the...
Trump calls Virginia referendum rigged
President Donald Trump claimed that a referendum on electoral redistricting in Virginia was rigged after voters approved a map likely to benefit Democrats. Writing on Truth Social, Trump alleged that ...
Trump: Iran refrains from executing women at my request
President Donald Trump announced that eight women facing execution in Iran will be released following his request for a goodwill gesture ahead of upcoming negotiations. However, Iranian judicial autho...
Iranian top negotiator demands end to US blockade
Iranian parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammed Qalibaf has demanded that the United States end its naval blockade of Iranian ports to facilitate a genuine ceasefire. Qalibaf criticized the cur...
IND to assess whether asylum seekers can return to safe parts of Syria
Dutch Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink announced that the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will assess on an individual basis whether Syrian asylum seekers can safely return to parts of ...
Separate referendum on Israel boycott would cost a few million euros
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema estimates that holding a standalone referendum on a potential boycott of Israel would cost the city approximately 2.19 million euros. While costs could be significantly r...
Separate referendum on Israel boycott would cost a few million euros
Mayor Femke Halsema has stated that holding a standalone referendum in Amsterdam regarding a boycott of Israel would cost an estimated 2.19 million euros. The proposal currently lacks majority support...
Consumer fears war, investor counts on peace
Consumers are growing increasingly pessimistic due to the conflict in the Middle East, while stock markets continue to reach record highs. This contrast raises questions about whether investors are ig...