Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Iran opens Strait of Hormuz to all commercial shipping
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial shipping during the current ceasefire. The strategic waterway had previously been closed by Iran...
How can Velsen intervene in traffic chaos? VVD submits council questions over Wijkertunnel roadworks
The VVD political party has submitted formal questions to the Velsen municipal executive regarding potential traffic chaos caused by the closure of entrance ramps to the Velsertunnel. The party is see...
COA cannot stop asylum boat shuttle bus and will discuss future with municipality
The COA attempted to cancel the shuttle bus service for residents of the MS Galaxy asylum boat in Amsterdam to encourage self-reliance among its occupants. However, the municipality blocked the move, ...
From elections to new administration: ‘Seeing what works for the city’
Pro Amsterdam and D66 are exploring the formation of a new city government in Amsterdam, aiming for a coalition agreement before the summer. The parties also plan to involve residents in discussions r...
Another man (27) sentenced to prison for Malieveld riots
A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in riots at the Malieveld in Den Haag last year. The court found him guilty of public violence at three different locations and the t...
Young people aged 16 and over to receive higher minimum wage in 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, individuals aged 16 to 20 in the Netherlands will receive a higher minimum wage. Social Affairs Minister Hans Vijlbrief is implementing the increase, which follows a plan est...
No criminal case against FVD over controversial videos
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) has dismissed several complaints against two campaign videos released by the political party Forum for Democracy (FVD). After evaluating four specific allegat...
Why you keep watching a politician you dislike longer: ‘Without emotion we wouldn't vote’
Gijs Schumacher, the new professor of political psychology at the University of Amsterdam, explains that all politicians use emotions to engage voters. His research suggests that politics and emotion ...
Time is running out for circular shop MooiZooi in Molenwijk: still no new premises
Sustainable neighborhood shop MooiZooi is still searching for a new location as its current building in Haarlem's Molenwijk district is scheduled for demolition. Founder Alice Taylor expressed the urg...
Increasing reports of shredded documents
Hungarian politician Péter Magyar reports an increase in claims regarding the destruction of official documents within government institutions. He specifically accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs...
EU seeks to restore formal ties with Syria and ease sanctions
The European Union is planning to restore formal political relations with Syria to facilitate closer economic and security cooperation. According to reports, the EU also intends to further ease sancti...
Hezbollah warns Israel against violating ceasefire
Hezbollah has warned Israel that it remains ready to act if the current ten-day ceasefire, which began on Friday, is violated. The Lebanese group stated it still has its "finger on the trigger" despit...
Tata Steel fined another 8.5 million euros for excessive emissions
Tata Steel has been ordered to pay an additional fine of over 8.5 million euros for exceeding harmful emission limits at one of its plants. The penalty was imposed by the North Sea Canal Area Environm...
Van Weel: we will increasingly see major cybercrime
Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel warns that major cyberattacks, such as those targeting ChipSoft and Odido, will become increasingly common as global cybercrime rises. He stresses the need for mo...
Eerenberg himself has many questions about discovered benefit data
State Secretary for Finance Eelco Eerenberg expressed his own concerns and questions regarding a recently discovered data vault containing information about the childcare benefit scandal. He noted tha...
Dutch MEPs: stop going to Strasbourg
Dutch MEPs from several political parties have called for the European Parliament to temporarily suspend its monthly sessions in Strasbourg due to energy shortages and regional instability. In a lette...
Internal unrest at SP Amsterdam: Old guard unhappy with new leader's direction
Politics on the Amstel: PRO Amsterdam needs no referendum for Israel boycott
Journalists from AT5, Het Parool, and De Telegraaf discuss current political issues in Amsterdam in the podcast 'Politiek aan de Amstel.' The discussion covers the PRO Amsterdam party's stance on an I...
IMF and World Bank reopen door to financial support for Venezuela
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are resuming cooperation with Venezuela, according to IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva. This development potentially restores the country's eligibility...
Minister: Starmer unaware Mandelson vetting was ignored
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly discovered on Thursday that Peter Mandelson failed a security screening prior to being considered for the role of ambassador to the United States. Minist...
Thousands of Lebanese return to south of their country
Thousands of Lebanese residents are returning to the southern part of the country following the commencement of a ceasefire. These individuals were previously displaced from their homes by Israeli mil...
French minister: Netherlands could clear mines in Hormuz
French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that European countries, including the Netherlands, could assist in clearing sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz. A meeting in Paris is scheduled to di...
Myanmar commutes all death sentences, reduces Suu Kyi's prison term
Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing has converted all death sentences in the country to life imprisonment. Additionally, thousands of prisoners, including ousted former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, receiv...
GL-PvdA and CU propose bill to reduce child poverty
Dutch Members of Parliament Esmah Lahlah and Don Ceder have proposed a new bill aimed at structurally reducing child poverty in the country. The legislative proposal is expected to enter the public co...
Velsen receives nearly two million euros in state funding for sustainability of swimming pool, town hall, and Polderhuis; projects to be completed next year
The municipality of Velsen has received nearly two million euros in state funding to enhance the sustainability of the De Heerenduinen swimming pool, the Polderhuis, and part of the town hall. These r...
Newly elected FvD councillor had 200 cannabis plants in attic and was previously caught with heavy fireworks
FvD council member Mischa Verhaard from Roosendaal faces potential prosecution after a marijuana nursery with 200 plants was discovered in his home. Verhaard also has a previous conviction for the pos...
Professor: Time to worry about the business climate in Amsterdam
The number of foreign companies establishing themselves in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has continued to decline, with only 39 new arrivals in 2025. While city officials are prioritizing high-quali...
Wienen offers glimmer of hope for 'too long' skûtsje: 'We don't follow rules blindly'
Haarlem Mayor Jos Wienen is seeking a solution for a skûtsje boat that is 50 centimeters too long according to local mooring regulations. The owners had considered cutting the vessel in half to compl...
Trump calls Iran war a short trip
During a campaign rally in Las Vegas, U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the prospect of a conflict with Iran, characterizing it as a "short excursion." He further predicted that any such engageme...
Several hospitality businesses no longer have valid permits: enforcement and supervision catch-up in Velsen
The municipality of Velsen is conducting a comprehensive review of hospitality permits to improve oversight and enforcement within the sector. While the goal to inspect all commercial establishments b...