Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
What needs to change for girls and women to feel safer?
Participants gathered in Amsterdam for an Actie Aletta session to discuss strategies for combating sexual harassment and enhancing public safety for women. Government officials and young people explor...
North residents organize funeral procession to Stopera: We are the drain of Amsterdam
Residents of Amsterdam-Noord staged a protest march to the Stopera to demand increased funding, arguing that their district has been unfairly excluded from national investment programs granted to othe...
There is an emergency brake to stop Trump's attack on the ICC, but the cabinet prefers not to use it: why?
The United States is intensifying its pressure on the International Criminal Court in The Hague, threatening to paralyze the institution. The Dutch government is currently weighing its options, includ...
Amsterdam-Noord receives extra funding following coffin protest, but it won't be much: 'This decision is disastrous'
Activists from Red Amsterdam Noord organized a funeral-themed protest at the Stopera to demand more funding for their district. Alderman Melanie van der Horst promised additional money, but warned the...
Corrupt official Jim B. ‘did not know provided data was used for extreme violence’
Former Amsterdam official Jim B. is facing trial for allegedly leaking private data to information brokers who used the information to coordinate violent attacks. During his trial, defense attorneys a...
State buys shares in Borssele nuclear power plant to keep it open longer
The Dutch government plans to purchase a majority stake in the Borssele nuclear power plant for 115.7 million euros to ensure it can operate beyond 2033. This move aligns with national efforts to util...
Weesp opposition surprises administrative committee with 33-page management plan: ‘Strange and uncollegial’
Tensions within the Weesp administrative committee have escalated after the opposition presented an unexpected 33-page political management plan. Other factions have criticized this move as both stran...
Haarlem slaughterhouse closed as of today: city council to take action
The Muziekcentrum Slachthuis in Haarlem has closed temporarily following the bankruptcy of its managing foundation. The city council, which owns the building, is currently seeking a solution to resume...
In award-winning documentary Naza, 24 Israeli soldiers describe how Israel systematically kills civilians in Gaza: 'It's completely normalized'
The documentary Naza features testimony from 24 Israeli soldiers who allege that the systemic killing of civilians in Gaza is a normalized practice. Filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor face backl...
In Palestine 36, a question is asked that many Palestinians have been asking themselves for the past ninety years: why do you stay here?
Director Annemarie Jacir has spent ten years creating Palestine 36, a film depicting the 1936 anti-colonial protests in Palestine. The release of this project is underscored by the gravity of current ...
Three more journalists report being harassed during far-right demonstration
Three additional journalists have reported being physically assaulted and harassed during a recent far-right demonstration in the Netherlands. The incidents included being targeted with fireworks, pus...
48 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 48 permit applications last week, covering residential construction projects, event planning, and numerous requests for tree removal. The filings include routine ...
MAGA festival with Kid Rock canceled after selling only six VIP tickets
The Patriots Day Freedom Fest featuring Kid Rock was canceled after selling only six of the expected one hundred VIP tickets. Organizer Eric Deters decided to scrap the event because the low ticket sa...
Advisory body SER wants better employment support for newcomers
The Social and Economic Council (SER) is urging for improved employment support for newcomers in the Netherlands to help them integrate and fill labor shortages. The council suggests that municipaliti...
Thousands of parents affected by benefits scandal still waiting for municipal aid
Thousands of families affected by the Dutch benefits scandal are experiencing significant delays in receiving municipal support in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Almere. While authorities ar...
Shortening unemployment benefits has little effect on employment growth
Recent research from the CPB indicates that shortening the duration or lowering the amount of unemployment benefits has only a minimal effect on structural employment growth. Although the Dutch govern...
CPB: Shortening unemployment benefit duration creates 8,000 extra jobs, effect is limited
The Dutch Centraal Planbureau (CPB) estimates that reducing unemployment benefit duration from 24 to 12 months will lead to 8,000 extra jobs, though it describes the effect as limited. The plan faces ...
SER wants better guidance for Ukrainians into jobs matching their qualifications: 'We are missing opportunities'
The Social and Economic Council (SER) suggests that municipalities should take formal responsibility for integrating Ukrainian refugees into the Dutch labor market by providing language training and c...
Amsterdam wants to pilot medication for crack users: "Government must grant permission"
Mayors of the four largest Dutch cities have requested government approval to use dexamphetamine as a medical treatment for crack cocaine addiction. Researchers aim to launch a pilot program in Amster...
Municipality of Amsterdam fails to reintegrate sick employees: UWV imposed 90 wage sanctions since 2023
The Municipality of Amsterdam has been hit with 90 wage sanctions by the UWV since 2023 for failing to adequately reintegrate sick employees, costing taxpayers approximately 6.6 million euros. Alderma...
City council: Kwaku is intangible heritage, confident it will return in a new format
Amsterdam city officials are working to revive the Kwaku Summer Festival in a new, sustainable format after the organization ended the event in its current form earlier this year. The council recogniz...
City government: Kwaku is intangible heritage, confident it will return in a new format
Amsterdam city officials are working with organizers to ensure the return of the Kwaku Summer Festival next year through a new, sustainable format. Acknowledging the event as essential intangible heri...
EU extends sanctions against Russia at the last minute
The European Union has reached a last-minute agreement to extend sanctions against Russia, simultaneously shifting the renewal period from six months to three years. The deal involved removing two pro...
12-year sentence demanded for corrupt Amsterdam official Jim B. for selling data used in dozens of attacks
Prosecutors are seeking a 12-year prison sentence for a former Amsterdam tax office employee who allegedly sold private citizen data to criminals. The leaked information was used to facilitate a wave ...
Public Prosecution Service demands 12-year prison sentence for former civil servant Jim B. for selling data from municipal systems
The Public Prosecution Service has requested a 12-year prison sentence for former Amsterdam civil servant Jim B. for selling sensitive municipal data to criminals. Prosecutors linked the leaked inform...
Labor Inspectorate arrests two ex-convicts for benefit fraud
Two former convicts have been arrested by the Netherlands Labor Inspectorate for allegedly defrauding the UWV of 160,000 euros. The suspects reportedly used forged prison discharge documents to illici...
Tradition ends after 20 years: Amsterdam police must stop organizing iftars
Amsterdam police are ending their twenty-year tradition of organizing iftar meals for the public to better maintain an image of institutional neutrality. While internal staff holiday celebrations will...
Investigation into AI scandal involving Frans Timmermans stalls due to refusal by PVV's Maikel Boon
The Dutch parliamentary investigation into PVV member Maikel Boon has stalled due to his refusal to cooperate regarding AI-generated images of Frans Timmermans. The integrity committee, unable to comp...
Jake Paul hits back at critics after Washington visit: 'Ask questions yourself'
Jake Paul has responded to criticism following a series of meetings he and his brother Logan held with high-ranking U.S. government officials in Washington. Paul defended the visits, stating he aims t...
Neighborhood protest in Sloten against shelter, but decision is final: "Duty to provide these people a place"
Residents in Amsterdam-Sloten held a protest against the city's decision to open a new 24-hour care facility for people with psychological needs on Ditlaar. Alderman Zita Pels stated that the plan is ...