Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Former Moldovan MP sentenced to 19 years for role in 'theft of the century'
Former Moldovan MP and businessman Vladimir Plahotniuc was sentenced to 19 years in prison on Wednesday for his role in a massive bank fraud scheme. He was found guilty of stealing over 850 million eu...
Germany wants Europe's strongest military
Germany has unveiled a new military strategy aiming to become Europe's strongest armed force within thirteen years. The plan involves significant investments in long-range weapons, air defense systems...
IND and Public Prosecution Service seek to annul sham recognitions in court
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) are launching a pilot to challenge 'sham recognitions' of children in court. Three test cases will be sub...
More prison sentences handed out for Malieveld riots
The court in The Hague has sentenced three men to prison for their involvement in public violence during riots at the Malieveld last September. One of the convicted individuals was involved in overtur...
Need a new or upgraded power connection? Apply before July 1, 2026
Individuals and businesses requiring a new or upgraded power connection are advised to submit their applications before July 1, 2026. After this deadline, all new requests will be placed on a waiting ...
Housing association wants tenant not to return to home shot at in Zuidoost
Housing corporation Eigen Haard is seeking to evict a tenant from her home in Amsterdam Zuidoost after the property was targeted in two separate shootings in January. The corporation cites neighborhoo...
Lebanon wants to extend ceasefire with Israel by one month
Lebanon plans to propose a one-month extension of its ceasefire with Israel during a meeting in Washington on Thursday. The Lebanese delegation aims to prolong the current truce between Israel and Hez...
Inspectorate imposes penalty on Tata Steel over hazardous steel slag
The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has imposed a penalty on Tata Steel for failing to classify a specific type of steel slag as hazardous waste. The steel manufacturer must now upd...
The etiquette of the mayoral chain (and why we don't always follow it in Amsterdam)
The mayoral chain of office was introduced across the Netherlands in 1853 as a formal symbol of distinction for mayors. While strict etiquette traditionally governs how the chain should be worn, Amste...
EU ambassadors clear major hurdle for Ukraine loan
EU ambassadors in Brussels have approved a change to the multi-year budget, clearing a significant obstacle for a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine. The financial aid package had been delayed for severa...
Interview with Vlaams Belang leader at UvA cancelled due to security concerns
A scheduled interview with Tom Van Grieken, leader of the Belgian party Vlaams Belang, at the University of Amsterdam has been canceled. The university's media outlet Folia reported that the event was...
Sources: US using Ukrainian anti-drone system in Saudi Arabia
The United States has reportedly deployed a Ukrainian anti-drone system at a military airbase in Saudi Arabia. Analysts suggest that the use of this technology over American alternatives highlights Uk...
Inspections: mental health care for asylum seekers inadequate
The Dutch Justice and Security and Healthcare and Youth inspectorates have concluded that organizations providing mental health care and safety to asylum seekers are failing to cooperate effectively. ...
Microcar enforcement on ferries postponed due to incorrect fine amount
Active enforcement against mini-cars on Amsterdam ferries has been delayed until May due to a miscommunication regarding the fine amount, which is 190 euros instead of the previously reported 140 euro...
Belgium buys fifteen anti-aircraft tanks for Ukraine
Belgium is purchasing fifteen Gepard mobile air defense guns to provide to Ukraine, according to reports from the Belgian newspaper L’Echo. These tanks are intended to help the Ukrainian military in...
Recommendation: Orphaned Jewish looted art should become a separate collection
A commission led by Lodewijk Asscher has recommended that Nazi-looted art belonging to Dutch Jews which remained unclaimed after World War II should be returned to the Jewish community. The advice, co...
Mayor Martijn Smit unveils Wim van der Geesthof sign with Holocaust survivor Jack Aldewereld: 'If anyone has seen God, it is him'
Mayor Martijn Smit and Holocaust survivor Jack Aldewereld unveiled the nameplate for the Wim van der Geesthof housing project on Tuesday. The development honors a priest who saved many Jewish people d...
Heemskerk Lokaal, Hart voor Heemskerk and CDA can proceed as council approves scout's report despite slim majority concerns
The Heemskerk city council has approved the start of coalition negotiations between Heemskerk Lokaal, Hart voor Heemskerk, and the CDA. Although the decision was unanimous, some council members expres...
European Union seizes energy crisis to phase out fossil fuel dependence
The European Commission is introducing measures to reduce the European Union's dependency on fossil fuels in response to the current energy crisis. The plan aims to accelerate the energy transition wh...
Iran: two ships seized in Strait of Hormuz
Iranian authorities have seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz, citing alleged maritime violations. The vessels were reported by the Tasnim news agency to have been transported to the Ira...
Concerns in Parliament over halt to power connections in Utrecht
Members of the Dutch House of Representatives expressed concern on Wednesday regarding the announced suspension of new power grid connections in parts of Utrecht province starting this July. MPs are q...
Jetten refuses to say if he pressured D66 senators
D66 leader Rob Jetten refused to disclose whether he pressured his party's senators to support the asylum emergency measures law. The proposed legislation was ultimately rejected by the Dutch Senate o...
Wilders slams 'worthless package' against high fuel prices
PVV leader Geert Wilders has criticized the Dutch government's measures to mitigate high fuel prices, calling the plan a "flimsy package." He argued that the measures are insufficient and pointed out ...
UK and France convene Hormuz summit on reopening plans
The United Kingdom and France are hosting a meeting in London with military planners from over thirty countries, including the Netherlands, to discuss the restoration of shipping in the Strait of Horm...
71 notifications of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 71 permit applications last week concerning demolition and tree felling projects across the city. Residents are encouraged to check the list for developments occu...
Churches call on Haarlem coalition parties to save more houses of worship: 'Opportunities for the city'
The Klankbordgroep Kerken Haarlem is urging the city's coalition parties to support the repurposing of more local churches into community hubs, shops, or exhibition spaces. Following the successful co...
Provinces demand urgent crisis approach for congested power grid
Dutch provinces are calling on the national government to implement urgent crisis measures to address the increasing overload of the electricity grid. The Interprovinciaal Overleg (IPO) suggests alloc...
Energy debate: opposition working on deal with government for cheaper public transport
The Dutch cabinet and the House of Representatives are debating a package of measures to address the ongoing energy crisis. Opposition parties, led by GroenLinks-PvdA, are negotiating a deal to includ...
Ukraine to reopen Russian oil pipeline within hours
Ukraine has completed repairs on the Druzhba oil pipeline, allowing Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia to resume within a few hours. The pipeline had been out of service since January afte...
Kyiv asks Turkey to organize summit with Putin and Zelensky
Ukraine has requested that Turkey facilitate a summit between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to revive stalled peace negotiations. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha sta...