Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Climate activist Trees frustrated by delay in trial against PVV member who hit her
The trial of PVV politician Ronald van Tiggelen for hitting climate activist Trees Lammers with his car during a March 2023 protest in Haarlem has been postponed. The court moved the case to a three-j...
A coffee with Daniël van Duijn (LEF): We want a rave island near Pampus
Daniël van Duijn, leader of the LEF party, is campaigning for the Amsterdam municipal elections with a platform focused on youth interests and unconventional urban projects. His key proposals include...
Speeding on IJmuiderstraatweg, cut-through traffic on Velserduinplein, confusing intersection at Orionweg: road safety in Velsen has a long way to go
A recent serious car accident in Velserbroek has drawn attention to broader traffic safety concerns throughout the municipality of Velsen. Residents and local reports highlight several hazardous locat...
First test for Jetten: the CV of his own candidate Nathalie van Berkel
Nathalie van Berkel, the nominee for State Secretary for Finance in the Netherlands, is facing scrutiny after it was revealed she misrepresented her educational background by suggesting she completed ...
Housing market, waste and safety play major role for municipal election panel members
A survey of over 2,100 Amsterdam residents reveals that the housing shortage, waste management, and public safety are the primary concerns for voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. While 9...
A coffee with Patrick van Bronswijk (The Voice of Amsterdam): I'm really not doing it for fun
Patrick van Bronswijk, the lead candidate for the new party "De Stem van Amsterdam," is running in the city's municipal elections to address urgent concerns regarding safety, waste management, and exc...
Did you see those VVD billboards along the highway? That’s exactly where this cabinet’s Achilles’ heel lies
The VVD is prioritizing a distinct party identity through high-profile billboard campaigns to avoid the pitfalls of the previous Rutte IV administration. This focus on individual party recognition pos...
‘Hi!’ At the Munich Security Conference, NATO chief Rutte is now an absolute heavyweight on his birthday
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has established himself as a political heavyweight at the Munich Security Conference, where he maintains his characteristic friendly and calm demeanor despite high ge...
Coffee with Kok Chan (NLPlan): "I see no Asian council members to represent the community"
Kok Chan, leader of the NLPlan party, is campaigning for the Amsterdam city council to address a lack of representation for the Chinese and Asian communities. His primary platform is a "youth master p...
Cabinet plan consequences: Unemployed to receive up to 900 euros less per month
Calculations by labor unions FNV and CNV indicate that unemployed individuals in the Netherlands could receive up to 900 euros per month less under the new cabinet's proposed plans. This significant r...
This trash can – designed for deposit hunters – aims to keep the streets clean
The Amsterdam municipality is testing a new waste bin design featuring magnetic, self-closing doors to allow "deposit hunters" to easily search for recyclable bottles without damaging the containers. ...
Schoof happy to step out of spotlight after year and a half: 'I won't miss the massive attention'
After his final cabinet meeting, outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof reflected on his 1.5-year term, stating he is proud of his tenure but glad to leave the intense public spotlight. Schoof advised hi...
The two faces of Lidewij de Vos
Ahead of the upcoming municipal elections and the installation of a new Dutch cabinet, Forum voor Democratie party leader Lidewij de Vos has denounced the scrutiny of her party's local candidates as "...
Ministers see no need for 15 percent pay rise: 'I definitely earn enough'
Ministers in the outgoing Schoof cabinet have rejected a proposal to increase their salaries by 15 percent, stating that their current compensation is already sufficient. Although an advisory report s...
Advice to new cabinet: Raise politicians' pay by up to 18 percent
A new advisory report recommends increasing the salaries of Dutch politicians by up to 18 percent over the next three years. Under the proposal, ministers would receive a 15 percent raise, while alder...
No-frills formation: suddenly there’s a 27 billion gap and Bontenbal strikes up that Willeke Alberti song
Informateur Rianne Letschert facilitated the formation of a minority government between the D66, VVD, and CDA parties despite a sudden €27 billion budget deficit. The process required multiple inter...
Alderman postpones final decision on cruise ships: Bridges come first
Amsterdam Alderman Hester van Buren has postponed a final decision on banning sea cruises from the city, prioritizing the construction of bridges over the IJ over the current location of the Passenger...
Relief in Zandvoort: iconic clock restored and ticking again
The iconic station clock on Sophiaweg in Zandvoort has been replaced and is functioning again after a public poll showed that 80% of residents wanted to save the landmark from removal. The municipalit...
Everyone turning 60 to receive shingles vaccine invitation from next year
Starting next year, individuals in the Netherlands turning 60 will receive an invitation for a shingles vaccination. Outgoing State Secretary Judith Tielen limited the program to this specific age gro...
Criticism of fat bike ban plans: Certain group of young people being sidelined
Amsterdam city council members from the GroenLinks and PvdA parties have criticized a proposed ban on fatbikes in crowded areas like the Vondelpark, citing concerns over the potential stigmatization o...
A coffee with Chris de Ploeg (De Vonk): 'Amsterdam is becoming unaffordable for more and more people'
Chris de Ploeg, the lead candidate for the political party De Vonk, outlined his party's platform for the Amsterdam municipal elections, focusing on making the city more affordable for low-income resi...
Politics on the Amstel: Campaign derails during AT5 recordings and Halsema makes podcast debut
In the latest episode of the "Politiek aan de Amstel" podcast, journalists from AT5, Het Parool, and De Telegraaf discuss the effectiveness of boycotting the Forum voor Democratie party and the closur...
Power grid in three provinces reaching capacity, connection freeze looms
Grid operator TenneT announced on Thursday that the high-voltage power grid in the Dutch provinces of Utrecht, Gelderland, and Flevoland has reached its capacity limits. Consequently, the operator war...
Laboratories find much more asbestos in toys, including in 'magic' play sand
Dutch laboratories have detected asbestos in at least 25 samples of play sand, including popular "magic" sand products. Despite these findings, no official safety recalls have been issued yet to remov...
Officials: Ending sea cruises could jeopardize funding for bridge over the IJ
Amsterdam officials have warned that banning sea cruises by 2035 and canceling a new terminal could jeopardize state funding for major projects, including bridges over the IJ and new housing developme...
New gymnastics hall named Turnhuis Haarlem
The new gymnastics hall in Haarlem-Noord has been officially named "Turnhuis Haarlem" following a public voting process among residents and athletes. Revealed by Sports Councilor Eva de Raadt and gymn...
A coffee with Ruud Thonhauser (BBB): "Bringing common sense to Amsterdam"
Ruud Thonhauser is representing the BBB party in its bid for the Amsterdam City Council, aiming to introduce "down-to-earth common sense" to the municipal government. Drawing on his local upbringing, ...
Elsbeth Etty writes book on February Strike: How is it possible they dared
Journalist Elsbeth Etty has released a new book titled "We moeten iets dóén!" which explores the motivations of participants in Amsterdam's 1941 February strike against Nazi persecution. Through res...
Houtfestival takes a one-year break to consider its future
The Houtfestival in Haarlem has been cancelled for 2024 after the local municipality offered only a partial subsidy of €48,000 instead of the requested €80,000. Organizers will use this one-year h...
End of the road for Haarlem nature garden? "Ten years of work gone"
Board members of a permaculture garden in Haarlem fear their decade of ecological work will be destroyed by municipal plans to raise the site's ground level with a meter of sand. While the city argues...