Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Markerwaarddijk may be closed to heavy traffic for years
Heavy trucks will be prohibited from using the Markerwaarddijk starting October 21 due to significant wear and structural damage to the bridges at the Houtribsluizen. Rijkswaterstaat expects the restr...
New trash can unveiled at Amsterdam Central: separate slot for deposits and sturdier latch
Amsterdam is installing two hundred new, secure trash bins designed with dedicated deposit compartments to prevent scavengers from breaking them open. These bins, which feature improved magnetic locks...
Netherlands and five other countries want deep cuts to EU budget
The Netherlands and five other EU nations are calling for a significant reduction in the European Union's seven-year budget proposal. These countries want to reallocate funds away from agriculture and...
Even street-art optimist Frankey lost hope in New York with Trump
Dutch street artist Frankey, known for his witty urban installations, is the subject of a new documentary that highlights his creative process and recent projects in New York. While his attempts to br...
Young suspect in attempted attack on Heemstede synagogue appears in court
An 18-year-old Amsterdam resident has appeared in court for his alleged involvement in a planned attack on a synagogue in Heemstede. The suspect is accused of providing explosives and materials to two...
Municipalities spend 185 million a year on tech giant Microsoft: 'Amount shows the extent of dependency'
Dutch municipalities spent roughly 185 million euros on Microsoft products in 2025, highlighting a deep dependency on American tech companies. Experts and officials are concerned that this reliance co...
Journalist Evan Gershkovich on his 16 months in Russian captivity: ‘I later discovered there was a second trap’
Journalist Evan Gershkovich spoke about his sixteen-month imprisonment in Russia during the inaugural Derk Sauer Lecture in Amsterdam. He shared details regarding his time in custody, his subsequent r...
Residents and municipality face off in court over TikTok queues at Fabel Friet: how did it get so out of hand?
Neighbors of the Fabel Friet snack bar in Amsterdam are heading to court to demand that the municipality takes stronger action against massive, viral TikTok queues blocking the Runstraat. The resident...
Want to be mayor of a global city? 'Interesting opportunities could lie here for Pro Amsterdam'
Elif Eralp is being considered as a potential candidate for mayor of Berlin following a successful campaign focused on affordable housing. Her strategic approach is being viewed as a potential model f...
This is what the cabinet has in store, but it makes no one truly happy yet
The Dutch cabinet is implementing significant changes to its budget proposals to secure approval from the Tweede Kamer ahead of Prince's Day. These revisions have elicited a polarized response, with l...
Man seeks to recover loaned money by enlisting two friends for ‘help’: ‘I’m helping someone and now I’m here’
Three men were prosecuted for attempted extortion after confronting a shop owner in Mijdrecht to forcibly collect a 30,000 euro debt. Although the primary creditor claimed he was entitled to the money...
Haarlem Dolle Mina has been fighting for abortion rights for fifty years
Activists from the Haarlem branch of Dolle Mina gathered in The Hague on International Day of Safe Abortion to support a new legislative proposal aimed at removing abortion from the criminal code. Vet...
Jetten apologizes for outburst at D66 congress: I will try to avoid such a slip of the tongue
Prime Minister Rob Jetten has apologized for using aggressive language during a D66 conference where he suggested punching those who commit violence against minorities. Although Jetten clarified that ...
ING office in Amsterdam-Oost vandalized by pro-Palestinian activists
Pro-Palestinian activists vandalized an ING bank branch in Amsterdam-Oost early Wednesday morning by breaking windows and spraying red paint. The group claims the bank is complicit in the conflict in ...
Trial successful: over 60 percent of Amsterdam asylum seekers find a job or take steps toward paid employment
A successful pilot program in Amsterdam has helped over 60 percent of participating asylum seekers find employment or make progress toward securing a job since 2025. Due to these positive results, the...
Municipalities expand paid parking due to financial deficits
Municipalities in the Netherlands are expanding paid parking zones to secure additional revenue to offset chronic budget deficits. This shift is driven by reduced central government funding and increa...
Turkish comedian Deniz Göktas sentenced to 19 months in prison for insulting Erdogan
Turkish comedian Deniz Göktas has been sentenced to nineteen months in prison for insulting President Erdogan and religious values during a televised comedy set. While he remains free pending an appe...
PRO aims to remove abortion from criminal law again
PRO Member of Parliament Lisa Vliegenthart has introduced a bill to remove abortion from the Penal Code, arguing that the procedure should be treated strictly as medical care. The proposal seeks to el...
GroenLinks and PvdA also merge in North Holland province
GroenLinks and the PvdA have merged their provincial factions in North Holland ahead of the 2027 elections, with Tim Wagelaar serving as the new group leader. Additionally, the provincial government h...
Fries at risk? Cabinet study sees growing risk of potato crop failure
A government-commissioned study warns that a proposed ban on PFAS-containing pesticides could lead to widespread potato crop failures in the Netherlands due to increased risks of blight. While the che...
Massive Attack singer arrested for supporting Palestine Action
Massive Attack singer Robert Del Naja was arrested during a protest for his public support of the group Palestine Action. This marks his second arrest this year for similar demonstrations, following a...
Israel revokes status of Dutch diplomats over import ban
The Israeli Foreign Minister has revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch representatives following the Netherlands' recent decision to ban imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This measur...
‘Quarrel? Not at all!’: this duo must keep the cabinet afloat
Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen are facing scrutiny regarding the strength of their professional partnership within the current Dutch cabinet. As the two ministers engage i...
Thousands gather at Amsterdam's Dam Square: "Against war in Gaza, but support Ukraine with weapons"
Thousands of protesters gathered at Dam Square in Amsterdam to demonstrate against rising militarization and the government's foreign policy. The event drew diverse participants, including those calli...
Prime Minister Jetten escorted away by security at D66 congress
D66 politician Rob Jetten was escorted off stage by security during a party congress in Amsterdam after pro-Palestine protesters disrupted his speech. The demonstrators, who also gathered outside the ...
Thousands of people gather at Dam Square for 'Stop the War Fever' protest
Thousands of protesters gathered at the Dam in Amsterdam to demonstrate against rising militarization and the government's perceived focus on war preparations. The event, supported by various activist...
National peace protest at Dam Square: I do not want to send my children to the front
Thousands of demonstrators gathered on Dam Square in Amsterdam to protest against militarization, potential conscription, and the emphasis on military solutions to the conflict in Ukraine. While organ...
Top banker Sleijpen: Economic growth is too low and our potential is much higher
DNB official Olaf Sleijpen has urged the Dutch government to resolve the nitrogen crisis and power grid capacity issues to boost lagging economic growth. He stressed the need for decisive political ac...
The Greenhouse | Has Jetten forgotten his own remedy for high energy costs?
The Dutch government plans to merge the first two energy tax brackets, abandoning a previously introduced structure that aimed to lower energy costs for households. Officials cite administrative compl...
Even a fall is complicated for this minority cabinet
The Jetten cabinet faces complex political challenges that make a potential collapse difficult to navigate. Past political traumas are complicating decision-making and preventing a breakthrough for th...