Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Troubled Utrecht commuters entitled to compensation for longer if buses don't run
The province of Utrecht has extended its compensation scheme for public transport passengers facing delays or cancellations until December 12. Previously set to expire on May 31, the extension ensures...
Offensive images and remarks are rarely a matter for criminal courts – fight insulters yourself, with flair
Inquiry committee 'fought battle' for COVID documents
The Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic reported facing a struggle to obtain government documents regarding decision-making. Chairman Daan de Kort announce...
Amsterdam takes in 230 extra refugees due to shelter shortage in Ter Apel
Rutte, De Jonge and Van Dissel must appear before COVID commission
A Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee will question former Prime Minister Mark Rutte, former Health Minister Hugo de Jonge, and former RIVM director Jaap van Dissel regarding the government's COVID-...
Rutte, Van Dissel and Maurice de Hond summoned by COVID commission
The Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the government's COVID-19 response is set to begin next week, featuring testimonies from key officials like Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Jaap van Dissel. Critics ...
Putin: major nuclear exercise with Belarus completed
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the completion of a three-day joint military exercise with Belarus. The training, which was overseen by Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko v...
New residential area on Korte Verspronckweg in Haarlem
A new residential area featuring 200 homes will be developed on the Korte Verspronckweg in Haarlem. Half of the project is dedicated to social housing, with an additional focus on enhancing greenery a...
Argos: Suspicion of fraud in Amsterdam work-study program for status holders
39 refugees now housed in Loosdrecht, residents seek court order to close shelter: 'Ambushed and held hostage in our own neighborhood'
Thirty-nine asylum seekers have been housed in the town hall of Loosdrecht, while local residents are pursuing legal action to force the immediate closure of the emergency shelter. A lawyer for the CO...
Boy arrested for threat against Jewish school Cheider
A minor has been arrested following a telephoned threat against the Cheider Jewish school in Amsterdam-Buitenveldert, leading to the school's closure and the cancellation of a visit by Mayor Halsema. ...
Schouten: Extended opening hours for hospitality during World Cup
Mayor Carola Schouten announced that hospitality businesses in Rotterdam will have extended opening hours and permission for late-night match screenings during the soccer World Cup. Establishments are...
Prosecution: no decision yet on appeal against Weski
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) has not yet decided whether to appeal the verdict against former lawyer Inez Weski. While officials intend to study the court's ruling carefully, they noted a...
PRO and D66 target June 3 for Amsterdam coalition agreement, Bij1 likely to lose seat in Zuidoost
Italy wants to discuss EU sanctions against Israeli minister
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has requested that the European Union discuss potential sanctions against an Israeli minister regarding the treatment of Global Sumud Flotilla activists. Tajani...
Moerdijk may remain after all: new port expansion option on the table
The Dutch government is considering a reduced expansion of the port and industrial area near Moerdijk, which could allow the village of Moerdijk to remain. This development follows a statement from th...
Ombudsman: government knows who needs help but is not helping
The National Ombudsman's annual report states that the Dutch government often fails to provide timely assistance to citizens despite knowing who needs help. Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen argues for a ...
Princess Amalia: 'Sad that I already talk about threats quite normally'
Princess Amalia of the Netherlands shared her perspective on the ongoing security threats against her during a recent press interview. The 22-year-old crown princess noted that she finds it sad that s...
New developments for the Korte Verspronckweg
The Haarlem city council has approved plans to transform the Korte Verspronckweg into a car-light residential neighborhood featuring approximately 200 homes, with 50% dedicated to social housing. The ...
Subsidy for reuse plans
The city of Haarlem is offering subsidies for initiatives that focus on repairing, sharing, or reusing materials to reduce CO2 emissions. Residents and non-profits can receive up to €5,000 in fundin...
Information market on Schipholweg projects
An information market will be held on May 28, 2026, to discuss various urban development projects around Schipholweg in Haarlem. Key topics include the new Haarlem Spaarnepoort public transport hub, h...
King views asylum protests with ‘great concern’
King Willem-Alexander expressed deep concern over recent violent asylum protests in Loosdrecht, emphasizing that the right to protest should not involve violence, especially against emergency responde...
Amsterdam homeowners to lose right to social housing starting in 2027
Starting in 2027, the city of Amsterdam will implement new regulations that deny homeowners access to social rental housing to prioritize those in greater financial need. Amsterdam is the first munici...
Amsterdam homeowners will soon be banned from social housing
The municipality of Amsterdam plans to prohibit homeowners from renting social housing starting next year. This measure is intended to ensure that social rental properties are reserved for households ...
Number of complaints against MP Markuszower rises to 20
Twenty police reports have been filed against Dutch MP Gidi Markuszower following controversial remarks he made about Palestinian asylum seekers. Authorities expect the number of complaints to increas...
Organizations: Only the cabinet's tone on Israel is different
Five organizations met with the Dutch cabinet on Thursday to discuss the ongoing conflicts in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. While the groups noted a more empathetic tone from the governmen...
Ebola infection reported hundreds of kilometers from outbreak area
An Ebola case has been confirmed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the rebel group M23. The infection was detected hundreds of kilometers away from the primary outbreak zone.
Shoplifter eats stolen meal on toilet after arrest; Prosecutors seek to deport Polish repeat offender
A 37-year-old Polish repeat offender was arrested on March 28 for stealing food from a supermarket in Castricum. After being detained, he locked himself in a toilet to consume a stolen ready-made meal...
British government releases documents on Prince Andrew
The British government has released documents regarding Prince Andrew's appointment as an international trade envoy, revealing that no background or security checks were conducted at the time. These d...
Mayor: no one forced to sleep outside in Ter Apel
Mayor Jaap Velema of Westerwolde stated that no asylum seekers were forced to sleep outside at the Ter Apel application center on Wednesday night. He confirmed that everyone was offered alternative sl...