Politics News in English

Cabinet apologizes to women and their forcibly surrendered children after decades

State Secretary Claudia Van Bruggen has offered official apologies on behalf of the Dutch cabinet to women who were coerced into giving up their children for adoption. A new report revealed that many ...

Thirty million euro subsidy for Oost neighborhood heating network: "Decisive turning point"

The residents' initiative MeerEnergie has received a 30 million euro government subsidy to develop a neighborhood heating network in Amsterdam's Middenmeer district. Although the project aims to conne...

Tax authority opens support center in Southeast

The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration is opening a new support center in the Zuidoost district of Amsterdam next Wednesday. Located at the Stadsloket on Anton de Komplein, the facility will provide...

New borough executive board members

The Amsterdam city council has officially appointed new executive board members for the city's districts. The announcement outlines the individuals selected to serve in these administrative roles.

FNV demands cabinet cuts be scrapped: 'Employers must foot the bill'

The FNV labor union has announced plans for increased strikes and actions starting in September to protest the cabinet's proposed cuts to social security. The union is demanding that the government re...

Finally a decision on the nitrogen file. Not everyone is happy, but that is unavoidable

After years of political deadlock and protests, a majority in the Dutch parliament appears to be forming in support of a new nitrogen policy. While the decision is not yet finalized, the cabinet seems...

Talks on future management of Dorpsweide raise questions: 'Are we heading toward ending self-management?'

Beverwijk city council members are debating future management and operation strategies for the Dorpsweide in Wijk aan Zee. The discussion was prompted by concerns regarding evening parking practices o...

City district board members appointed by city council with broad support despite earlier negative advice

Public support for nuclear power plants weighs heavily, says state secretary

State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat stated that local public support is a crucial factor for the Dutch government in selecting sites for two new nuclear power plants. Although Eemshaven is technically the...

Research platform: Facebook channels profit from polarization

Research platform Justice for Prosperity has found that thousands of Dutch Facebook pages are generating revenue by spreading content designed to incite anger and polarization. These pages masquerade ...

British Prime Minister apologizes to women forced to give up their children

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a formal apology to women who were coerced into giving up their children for adoption during the previous century. He described the historical practice a...

Gaza flotilla activists to file complaint for sexual violence

Seven Dutch participants of the Global Summit Flotilla are filing criminal charges against Israeli soldiers for alleged sexual violence, torture, and abuse. Assisted by an Amsterdam law firm, the acti...

District politicians have little influence: is the system still working?

District committee members in Amsterdam are expressing frustration over their lack of real decision-making power, as their current role is limited to providing non-binding advice to the central city c...

Government allocates 30 million euros for district heating network in Watergraafsmeer

SER advises on new organization to meet nitrogen targets

The Social and Economic Council (SER) has proposed the creation of a new organization involving both public and private parties to help achieve national climate and nitrogen goals. The initiative aims...

Lithuania wants to lift ban on nuclear weapons

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced that the parliament intends to remove a constitutional ban on placing nuclear weapons on its territory. This move follows a similar decision made by NAT...

Commemorations and protests in Israel, 1000 days after October 7, 2023

Israel marks one thousand days since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks with a series of scheduled commemorations and public protests. The demonstrations focus on the government's response and actions...

Kyiv mayor calls Russian attack the largest to date

The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, stated that a recent Russian assault on the Ukrainian capital was the largest attack to date. Following this event, July 3rd has been declared a day of mourning to...

Ministry investigates proxy voting system following Gorinchem incident

Dutch Minister of the Interior Pieter Heerma has announced an investigation into the proxy voting system. This decision follows criticism from international observers regarding the process in the Neth...

Opinion from former district chair: Nieuw-West does not need further political division

EU foreign policy chief wants to increase pressure on Russia after attack on Kyiv

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is calling for increased pressure on Russia and sustained military aid to Ukraine following recent attacks on Kyiv. She emphasized that mere condemnatio...

Housing construction remains stalled despite cabinet nitrogen intervention: 'New cities will not be built'

The Economic Institute for Construction (EIB) states that the Dutch government's recent nitrogen intervention will not resolve the ongoing deadlock in residential construction permits. Consequently, e...

Mandatory interim test could make driving lessons even more expensive, industry warns: 'We can charge whatever we want'

Dutch Minister Karremans has proposed making intermediate driving tests mandatory for student drivers. Industry organizations are warning that this change could lead to significantly higher costs for ...

More reports of misconduct at Amsterdam municipality again

Cabinet decides to introduce smaller ballot papers from 2029

The Dutch cabinet has announced that a smaller ballot paper will be introduced starting with the 2029 European Parliament elections. This decision follows successful trials conducted during the previo...

Sjoerd (55) is drone chief in the Navy and trains in the North Sea: 'Human lives are precious'

Sjoerd Feenstra leads the Dutch Navy's drone operations, which are currently being highlighted following the government's new Defense Memorandum. Feenstra is conducting exercises in the North Sea to d...

Death toll from Russian attacks on Ukrainian capital rises

The death toll from large-scale Russian attacks on Kyiv has risen to ten, with at least 56 people injured, including two children. The mayor of the Ukrainian capital confirmed the casualties following...

Former council member Anne Feite Bloem resigns from SP over coalition with PVV in Pekela: 'Hate-mongering party'

Former SP faction leader Anne Feite Bloem has resigned his party membership in protest of a local coalition formed with the PVV in Pekela. He stated that he could no longer support the party because i...

Melania Trump earns millions from her failed documentary

Former US First Lady Melania Trump reportedly earned 10 million dollars from the documentary titled Melania. Despite the film being considered a commercial failure, she received the majority of the pr...

Deaths and injuries reported in major Russian attack on Ukraine

Multiple Ukrainian cities were hit by a series of Russian missile and drone attacks overnight from Wednesday to Thursday. Local officials reported at least two deaths and sixteen injuries resulting fr...