Politics News in English

ICL to face significantly higher fines for future violations

Fertilizer factory ICL faces a tenfold increase in potential fines, rising to 1.25 million euros, if it exceeds future emission standards in the Amsterdam area. The environmental agency implemented th...

Heinen back to drawing board for Box 3 tax changes after heavy criticism

Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen has announced revisions to the proposed box 3 tax legislation for capital gains. The decision follows significant criticism of the new system from both investors an...

Cabinet scraps box 3 law after a week and a half

The Jetten cabinet has decided to scrap the recently approved wealth tax (Box 3) legislation just one and a half weeks after its passage. The decision follows widespread criticism of the proposed tax ...

Klaver lashes out at Heinen for wanting to change new Box 3 system again

GroenLinks-PvdA leader Jesse Klaver criticized Finance Minister Eelco Heinen during a government policy debate regarding the proposed new box 3 wealth tax system. Heinen announced plans to urgently am...

Van den Brink wants to share asylum reception figures with municipalities quickly

Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink announced plans to release figures regarding the required number of asylum reception spots to municipalities as soon as possible. This move follows a delay by his pr...

Nearly half of South Holland houses too few status holders for too long

Nearly half of the municipalities in South Holland have failed to provide sufficient housing for status holders for at least two years. Although the provincial government has the authority to interven...

Jetten seeks cooperation to break the deadlock

Prime Minister Rob Jetten delivered his government statement, emphasizing that cooperation is essential for his minority cabinet to pass necessary reforms. He stated that the government is making majo...

Security Council announces sanctions against Sudanese RSF leaders

The UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on four commanders of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces for crimes classified as genocide. These measures follow a violent siege of El-Fasher in October, which...

85 years after the February Strike: What the underground Parool wrote about the start of mass protests against Jewish persecution

City and Film Fund aim to bring European counterpart to the Oscars to Amsterdam

Henri Bontenbal (CDA) defends ‘freedom contribution’: ‘I’m not proud it was in my program either’

Premier Rob Jetten faced significant criticism during the first parliamentary debate on his new minority government's policy statement, specifically regarding the proposed increase of the retirement a...

House majority wants to soften state pension plans, opposition takes the floor

The Dutch governing parties D66, VVD, and CDA have agreed to soften planned increases to the state pension age by supporting an opposition motion. This decision aims to provide Prime Minister Jetten w...

Brekelmans (VVD) under fire over tax hike for ‘hard-working Dutch’

New Prime Minister Rob Jetten faced significant criticism during his first parliamentary debate regarding the government's policy statement and proposed increases to the retirement age. The two-day de...

PM Jetten kicks off two-day debate: how will he lay the foundation for this minority cabinet?

Prime Minister Rob Jetten has launched a two-day parliamentary debate to outline his minority cabinet's plans for the next four years. Following the cabinet's swearing-in, Jetten faces the House to es...

Journalism NGO: more than 100 journalists killed in 2025

In 2025, 129 journalists and media workers were killed while performing their duties, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The U.S.-based non-profit reported that two-thirds of these dea...

Tehran calls Trump's statements about Iran 'big lies'

The Iranian government has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's claims regarding its missile program as "big lies." A spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry denied allegations that Iran is d...

Chinese and German premiers seek more economic cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have expressed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation between their two nations. During his visit to China, Merz highlighted t...

Survey on IJtunnel closure: Potential hour of extra travel time during rush hour

Amsterdam has launched a survey to prepare motorists for the IJtunnel's year-long closure starting in summer 2027, which could add up to an hour of travel time during peak hours. The municipality is s...

Municipal elections on March 18: what OP Haarlem wants

Residents of Haarlem will vote in the municipal elections on March 18. This report focuses on the plans and candidates of the local political party OP Haarlem.

Comedian banned from Geesterhage Castricum over ‘polarizing statements’ in his shows. Is it justified?

Cultural Center Geesterhage in Castricum and four other Dutch theaters have banned comedian Rogier Kahlmann from performing, citing his material as overly polarizing. Kahlmann disputes the decision, a...

Appearance of conflict of interest: Alderman Stam avoids talks with Hoeve Nijverdal in 't Groot Clooster project

Alderman Eveline Stam is avoiding discussions with stakeholder Hoeve Nijverdal regarding the 't Groot Clooster project in Heemstede to avoid a perceived conflict of interest. Local entrepreneurs have ...

Democrats emphasize purchasing power in response to State of the Union

Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger criticized President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, calling it full of lies. Speaking on behalf of her party, she argued that the president's p...

Referendum on Santpoort-Zuid asylum center rejected again; opponents now look to province for support

A committee has rejected a request for a referendum regarding a new asylum seekers' center in Santpoort-Zuid. The foundation behind the request now hopes the provincial government will intervene by re...

Shopposition, propposition or pacemakers: the constructive opposition deserves a new name

The emergence of a minority government in the Netherlands has sparked a debate on redefining the term 'opposition,' as several non-governing parties are now willing to collaborate with the administrat...

This is Anna, and she costs too much: ‘Our daughter is an expense’

Jonas Baart shares his struggles regarding the 24-hour care required for his 14-year-old disabled daughter, Anna, amidst constant threats to their funding. He highlights the emotional toll of a system...

Trump breaks record for longest State of the Union

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in United States history, lasting approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes. This duration broke the previous record set by Bill ...

Trump praises economy during State of the Union despite discontent

During his State of the Union address, U.S. President Donald Trump praised his economic policies as a major success and stated that the national economy is doing well. His remarks come despite ongoing...

Democrat ejected from chamber during Trump's State of the Union

Democrat Al Green was removed from the chamber during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. Green held up a sign in an apparent protest against a controversial video shared on the Presi...

Pilot emergency support points launched in nearly 70 municipalities

A trial involving emergency support points has launched in nearly 70 municipalities across all 25 security regions. The Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) announced the start of the program on ...

Trump administration sues UCLA for antisemitism

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), alleging the institution fostered a hostile work environment for Jewish and Israeli employe...