Politics News in English

Mexican President calls on World Cup fans to celebrate responsibly

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged citizens to celebrate responsibly during the upcoming World Cup match following previous deadly incidents. Her statement serves as a call for safety to pr...

Van den Brink takes next step against municipalities refusing asylum seekers

Minister of Asylum Bart van den Brink announced that he will take further action next week against municipalities in the Netherlands that refuse to provide asylum housing. The minister will identify t...

City executive board stands by Kolenkit relocation plans: "Unfortunately sometimes leads to disappointment"

Amsterdam's executive board remains committed to the relocation project in the Kolenkitbuurt, despite acknowledging that matching residents with suitable new housing sometimes causes disappointment. O...

Halsema on Osdorp explosion: "No reports received that could have prevented this"

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema stated that the city received no specific warnings regarding explosive activity prior to a major blast in the Osdorp neighborhood that injured seven people. While residen...

No sober New Year in Haarlem after all: municipal fireworks or drone show starting in 2027

Following a recent city council debate, Haarlem has decided to host a central fireworks, drone, or laser show for New Year's Eve starting in 2027. This decision overturns the mayor's original proposal...

Fouad O. (43) fled after sentence in major Amsterdam drug case, but returns himself to avoid Moroccan prison

US talks with NATO vanguard including Netherlands cause unrest

A meeting between the United States and a select group of NATO members, including the Netherlands, has caused tension within the alliance. Other NATO members fear this consultation could lead to inter...

It's official: IKC Cunera is happening with a maximum building height of 11.5 meters

Local authorities have approved the updated spatial framework for the new Integraal Kind Centrum (IKC) in Bakkum. The school, which was previously greenlit in 2024, will be constructed on Vondelstraat...

Pope Leo praises US history of welcoming immigrants

Pope Leo praised the United States for its historical commitment to welcoming immigrants in a recent video address. The speech was delivered on the eve of his home country's 250th anniversary.

Local parties angry over smaller ballot without candidate names: 'Where is Thea from Opperdoes?'

Approximately one hundred local political parties in the Netherlands are protesting the government's plan to introduce smaller, candidate-free ballots by 2029. The groups have urged Minister Heerma to...

Arrested Turkish comedian who called Erdogan a dictator faces jail time

Turkish comedian Deniz Göktas was taken into pre-trial detention on Friday following his arrest for allegedly mocking religious values and insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The comedian faces...

State Secretary does not want harsher sentences for young offenders

State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen stated that she does not support increasing criminal penalties for offenders aged 12 to 17. Her position opposes the previous cabinet's push to raise maximum senten...

Animal testing on monkeys may continue after 2030

Minister of Science Rianne Letschert has informed the House of Representatives that animal testing on monkeys may continue beyond 2030. She stated that these tests remain necessary for the development...

Jan-Kees Emmer just celebrates 250 years of the United States because the US is more than Trump

Journalist Jan-Kees Emmer reflects on the significance of the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence. He highlights that the celebration remains meaningful regardless of current politica...

These will be the uncomfortable corona questions for Hugo de Jonge

The Dutch government is making progress on addressing long-standing nitrogen emission issues despite farmer protests. Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen now faces the challenge of balancing these ne...

Next coronavirus hearings feature De Jonge, Keijzer and Maurice de Hond

Former Health Minister Hugo de Jonge, former State Secretary Mona Keijzer, and pollster Maurice de Hond will testify before the Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee on coronavirus. The hearings focus...

Multiple witnesses threatened around corona hearings

Multiple witnesses summoned by the Dutch parliamentary inquiry committee on COVID-19 have reported being physically and digitally threatened. Committee chair Daan de Kort condemned the behavior as una...

Youth detention for 17-year-old boy who supplied cobras for failed attack on De Pizzabakkers

Amsterdam made over 1,800 homes habitable again last year

In 2025, the city of Amsterdam successfully returned over 1,800 vacant or fraudulently occupied homes to the housing market. These efforts are part of the municipality's ongoing strategy to combat hou...

From Haarlem to Nieuwegein by a single bus: Ministry study shows it is possible and profitable

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has explored the potential for a new rapid bus route connecting the Spaarne Gasthuis in Haarlem to Nieuwegein. Research indicates that such a ...

Quint: COVID debate should have been broader in politics and media

Romy Quint, founder of the group Women for Freedom, testified before the parliamentary inquiry committee on Friday. She stated that a broader political and media discussion regarding COVID-19 policies...

Corona-critical group felt like a 'type of people's representative'

Romy Quint, a founder of the corona-critical group Vrijheid voor Vrouwen, stated to a parliamentary inquiry committee that her organization acted as a representative for citizens during the pandemic. ...

Jan-Bert Vroege leaves Amsterdam politics for alderman role in Almere: "Time for something else"

After sixteen years in Amsterdam politics, Jan-Bert Vroege has been installed as a new alderman in Almere. He will oversee a diverse portfolio focused on the city's future, including economy, innovati...

Iran begins series of mourning ceremonies for Ali Khamenei funeral

Mourning ceremonies have begun in Tehran for the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who passed away in late February. The funeral proceedings are being held at the Imam Khomeini Mosque comple...

Cabinet invests 450 million euros in underground hydrogen storage

The Dutch cabinet is investing 450 million euros from the Climate Fund into the construction of underground hydrogen storage facilities. This initiative aims to support the transition to renewable ene...

FNV welcomes ban on temporary agency workers in meat sector

The trade union FNV has welcomed Minister Hans Vijlbrief's decision to ban temporary workers in the meat sector starting in June 2028. While the union views this as a breakthrough against structural a...

Politics on the Amstel: PRO gaslights the city council and the 'little train' is back in council

The podcast Politiek aan de Amstel discusses recent political tensions in the Amsterdam city council, including controversy surrounding the party PRO and the performance of mayor Femke Halsema. Journa...

NATO countries agree on 140 billion euros for Ukraine over two years

NATO member states have agreed to provide 140 billion euros in aid to Ukraine over the next two years. The 32 leaders are expected to formalize this commitment during an upcoming summit.

EU adds six Russians to sanctions list over Navalny poisoning

The European Union has imposed sanctions on six Russian individuals, including military scientists, for their alleged involvement in the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. These measures i...

Letschert proud of plan for mandatory internship compensation

Dutch Minister of Education Rianne Letschert has expressed pride in a new cabinet proposal to legally mandate internship compensation for vocational and higher education students. She stated that inte...