Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Red Cross on Ter Apel situation: this cannot go on like this
The Red Cross has expressed serious concerns regarding the welfare of asylum seekers outside the reception center in Ter Apel. Director Harm Goossens stated that the situation is unacceptable as peopl...
Inspectorates: Handling of mentally ill man who stabbed girl to death fell short
Dutch inspections concluded that healthcare and security organizations failed in their management of a man who stabbed an 11-year-old girl in Nieuwegein last year. The report found that the suspect's ...
Katz: South Lebanon operation to continue after ceasefire agreements
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that military operations in southern Lebanon will continue despite reports of a ceasefire agreement reached in Washington. Katz warned that the military ...
Cabinet ready to spend more on purchasing power support next year amid high price concerns
The Dutch cabinet expects to provide extra purchasing power support next year to address concerns over rising inflation and potential instability in the Middle East. This financial package is also int...
Haltestraat in Zandvoort to close to traffic in evenings this summer
The Haltestraat in Zandvoort will be closed to traffic during evening hours throughout the upcoming summer season. Local residents and business owners have been officially notified by the municipality...
Haarlem makes citizens wait far too long for decisions; penalty payments cost municipality a fortune
The municipality of Haarlem paid 47,627 euros in penalty payments last year due to delayed decision-making, marking a tenfold increase over the past five years. City officials attribute the backlog to...
Israeli Security Minister angry over ceasefire: this is a big mistake
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has criticized the new ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, labeling the agreement a "big mistake." His remarks highlight internal government o...
First step towards aid for homeless Amsterdammers
The service desk at Jan van Galenstraat 323B in Amsterdam has been renovated to provide assistance to homeless residents. The facility serves as a central point where individuals experiencing homeless...
Cyprus: migration pact will not start without problems
Cypriot Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides stated in Luxembourg that most EU member states are prepared for the implementation of the new asylum and migration pact. However, he cautioned that the p...
Solar panels remain primarily a benefit for higher incomes
One in three Dutch households now has solar panels, but the CPB reports that these installations remain primarily concentrated among higher-income families. This disparity indicates that the benefits ...
This municipality wants ‘zero asylum seekers’, is that allowed?
In Maassluis, Mayor Jack de Vries is at odds with the new local coalition over the intake of asylum seekers. While the coalition has pledged to accept zero refugees, De Vries maintains that the munici...
Haarlem residents launch national citizens' assembly on migration: 'Combat polarization and preserve our democracy'
A group of residents from Haarlem has launched a national citizens' assembly on migration to address and reduce deep societal polarization on the issue. The initiative aims to involve approximately 17...
Why didn't Donald Pols just say it right away? It's not that simple, says psychologist Aukje Nauta
Donald Pols, the director of the Dutch environmental organization Milieudefensie, has faced criticism for concealing his past involvement with a far-right group in South Africa for decades. Experts an...
Audit Court: Amsterdam must address shared two-wheelers
The Amsterdam Audit Office has advised the city to expand its network of neighborhood hubs for shared scooters and bikes to effectively reduce car usage. Currently, the impact of these hubs on city tr...
Groene Hart could still open to wind turbines next year
The South Holland provincial government has temporarily withdrawn its plan to install wind turbines in the Groene Hart region but may reconsider opening up to twelve potential sites next year. Further...
Is there a future for shared bikes in Amsterdam? Neighborhood hubs struggle to reach even one ride per day
Gastric bypass for severely obese teenagers to be covered: ‘Obesity is a chronic, serious disease’
Dutch teenagers suffering from extreme obesity can now receive coverage for gastric bypass surgery under the basic health insurance package. This policy change applies to young people with severe heal...
Haroon Ali: Don’t let your Dutch citizenship be taken away
Author Haroon Ali warns that far-right movements are successfully normalizing the concept of "remigration" within European public debate. He argues that this mainstreaming of extremist ideas poses a t...
Australians smoking more despite rising cigarette prices
Smoking in Australia has increased since 2017, despite government anti-smoking policies that tripled cigarette prices. The rise in tobacco use is primarily attributed to a significant increase in the ...
Official negotiations on Ukraine's EU accession can proceed
Official negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova to join the European Union can proceed after Hungary withdrew its veto. Cyprus, as the current EU chair, announced that preparations for the first negotia...
Netherlands to resume sending asylum seekers back to Italy once migration pact takes effect
Starting June 12, the Netherlands will resume transferring asylum seekers back to Italy under the new EU Migration Pact. This policy applies to individuals who first entered Europe via Italy before ap...
Cabinet approves nearly 400 million euros extra for emergency and development aid
The Dutch cabinet has reached an agreement to allocate an additional 328 million euros for emergency and development aid this year. Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma brokered the deal with the GroenLinks-PvdA...
Broadcasters ask minister for action against Ongehoord Nederland in draft letter
Dutch public broadcasters have sent a joint draft letter to Culture Minister Rianne Letschert expressing concerns about Ongehoord Nederland (ON!). The broadcasters argue that ON!'s actions are harming...
Hungary and Ukraine reach agreement on diaspora rights
Hungary and Ukraine have reached an agreement regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine following weeks of negotiations. Hungarian leader Péter Magyar praised the outcome of the deal ...
Cabinet reaches agreement with GL-PvdA on extra aid funding
The Dutch government has reached an agreement with the GroenLinks-PvdA opposition to allocate an additional 328 million euros to the development aid budget this year. This deal ensures the budget has ...
New coalition: 'We are not going to put up billboards with what we have achieved'
Amsterdam's new coalition between PRO Amsterdam and D66 has finalized an agreement that focuses on addressing the housing crisis and maintaining generous asylum policies while reducing the city's civi...
Amsterdam was wrong to withdraw the Weespersluis development plan: ‘Hopefully they will talk to us residents again’
Little disappointment among South and Red Light District residents over erotic center cancellation
Residents of Amsterdam's Zuid and De Wallen neighborhoods have reacted positively to the decision by political parties PRO and D66 to scrap plans for a centralized erotic center. The coalition will in...
Little disappointment among South and Red Light District residents over scrapped erotic center
Residents of Amsterdam's South and Red Light districts have reacted positively to the decision by political parties PRO and D66 to scrap plans for a large centralized erotic center. Instead of a singl...
'The misery in Groningen is so massive, I had no idea.' Spaarndam author Anne-Gine Goemans dives into earthquake zone for thriller
Spaarndam-based author Anne-Gine Goemans has released a new thriller set in the earthquake-stricken province of Groningen. The novel explores both the physical damage and the emotional toll on residen...