Thursday 12 November

The Netherlands' fragile minority coalition is teetering on the brink of collapse after D66 and the CDA struck a surprise tax deal with opposition parties. VVD leaders are incensed by the maneuver, with opposition firebrand Geert Wilders declaring the cabinet effectively dead. What began as a routine fiscal debate has escalated into a full-blown crisis of confidence that threatens the government's survival. Read more →

The Dutch House of Representatives has narrowly passed a contentious tax reform that introduces a capital gains tax on box 3 assets by 2029. The legislation, which includes a targeted levy on millionaires, was pushed through by a coalition of opposition parties and reluctant partners, leaving the VVD reeling from the defeat. With the plan now heading to the Senate, the government faces a precarious path forward amid deep fiscal divisions. Read more →

Prosecutors in the Netherlands are seeking up to 20 years in prison for six individuals accused of plotting the assassination of an Iranian journalist in Haarlem. The case has exposed a sophisticated, state-linked hit squad operating on European soil, aiming to silence dissent through lethal force. The court is expected to deliver its verdict in late December, marking a significant moment in the prosecution of transnational repression. Read more →

Discount retailer Action continues to defy broader European economic stagnation, reporting a 14% revenue surge to 12.8 billion euros. By rapidly scaling its footprint to 3,530 stores, the company has solidified its position as a consumer favorite during inflationary times. Its aggressive expansion strategy underscores the enduring demand for low-cost household goods across the European Union. Read more →

A wave of cyberattacks targeting cooling infrastructure has hit businesses across Europe, with officials in Belgium and the Netherlands investigating potential links to Iranian hackers. While larger supermarket chains have largely insulated their systems, smaller enterprises have been left vulnerable to the disruption. Security agencies remain on high alert as they attempt to map the extent of this coordinated digital campaign. Read more →