Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
US threatens sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday that the United States is threatening to impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil. The statement was made during a briefing with reporters a...
Woman (27) forced into prostitution, prosecutors demand 4 years for suspects
The Public Prosecution Service has demanded four-year prison sentences for a man and a woman accused of forcing a 27-year-old woman into prostitution in Amsterdam-Zuidoost for over a year. The victim ...
Russia threatens European drone sites, including in the Netherlands
The Russian Ministry of Defense has identified several European drone manufacturers as potential targets, warning that their support for Ukraine brings conflict with Russia closer. The list includes t...
White House: extension of ceasefire with Iran not requested
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt denied reports that the United States requested an extension of the ceasefire with Iran. Despite this, U.S. officials remain optimistic about reaching a deal ...
Cabinet considers phased accession of new EU member states
Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen expressed willingness to explore a phased approach for new countries joining the European Union. During a parliamentary debate, he stated the Netherlands i...
King: Made clear to Trump we disagree
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands stated that he expressed fundamental disagreements with U.S. President Donald Trump during a dinner at the White House. He described the conversation as open a...
Wilders pivots on asylum and ramps up pressure on government: why is the PVV choosing this course?
Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV, has shifted his stance on asylum policy to increase pressure on the Dutch government cabinet following a strategic move in the Senate. This tactical change is intende...
Simon Sprietsma (60) has been the designer of the city center for 35 years
Architect Simon Sprietsma was honored with a symposium at the Zuiderkerk for his 35-year career designing iconic public spaces in Amsterdam, including the Dam and Leidseplein. Since 1991, Sprietsma ha...
Fighting rats, supporting emergency workers, or no paid parking? Haarlem residents to pitch ideas for upcoming coalition agreement this Saturday
Residents of Haarlem are invited to share their ideas for the new coalition agreement this Saturday at the De Wereld community center. The political parties PRO, D66, and CDA are seeking public input ...
Dutch Tax Authority discovers data vault with 64 million unexamined files in benefits scandal
The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration has discovered a data vault containing 64 million files that were not reviewed during the parliamentary inquiry into the childcare benefits scandal. These docu...
PRO sidelined in Bloemendaal for now: ’We want a stable core coalition’
Following a council meeting and a report by mediator David Moolenburgh, the political party PRO remains excluded from coalition negotiations in Bloemendaal. Local leaders expressed a preference for bu...
Oil giants earned $30 million per hour during first month of Iran war
The world's 100 largest oil and gas companies earned an average of $30 million per hour in March following a sharp rise in oil prices. According to research by The Guardian, these significant profits ...
Officials expect Schiphol noise rules can proceed
Officials at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management expect that new noise reduction regulations for Schiphol Airport can still be implemented. Despite a recent Council of State ruli...
Sharp council debate over Israel boycott referendum: ‘Pro seems set to vote against’
Israel Security Cabinet meets over Lebanon ceasefire
The Israeli security cabinet is meeting at 7:00 PM to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire in Lebanon. According to a top official, the discussion will focus on potential diplomatic steps to end the...
PRO Amsterdam wants measures against Israel but opposes boycott referendum
A majority in the Amsterdam city council has likely blocked a referendum on an Israel boycott after the PRO Amsterdam party followed a committee's advice that the proposal exceeds municipal authority....
UN experts call for stop to arms deliveries to Israel
UN Human Rights Council experts have urged all member states to halt weapon deliveries to Israel following military actions in Lebanon. They allege that Israel violated international law with large-sc...
COA cancels bus link to city for asylum ship residents in Western Port Area
Jetten meets opposition leader and Nobel Prize winner Machado
Premier Rob Jetten met with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado at his ministry. The meeting highlighted Machado's international standing following her Nobe...
Alleged arms supplier in Haarlem attempted murder extradited
France has extradited suspect Karim A. to the Netherlands for his alleged role as the weapon supplier in the attempted murder of an Iranian activist in Haarlem. The attack took place in June 2024, and...
Zelensky to attend Four Freedoms Awards in Middelburg on Thursday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the Four Freedoms Awards ceremony in Middelburg on Thursday. He will be joined at the event by King Willem-Alexander, Princess Beatrix, and Prime Min...
US still in contact with Iran
Despite the failure of recent negotiations in Islamabad, a senior U.S. official reports that the United States remains in contact with Iran. The U.S. has not yet formally agreed to extend the ceasefir...
Free digital safety session for seniors in Zaandam
The municipality of Zaanstad and the Ministry of Justice and Security are hosting a free meeting on digital safety for seniors on April 24. The event will be held at the Zaantheater in Zaandam to help...
Rising inflation leads to higher wage increases at the bargaining table
Rising inflation and the energy crisis following the start of the war in the Middle East have led to increasingly difficult collective bargaining negotiations. Unions are now pushing for higher wage i...
Digital child lock almost ready to protect youth in EU countries
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that a new EU age verification app is technically complete and will soon be available to citizens. The tool is designed to allow websites a...
Dam Square stabbing suspect wanted to make people ‘pay for financing war in Ukraine’
Sharp increase in discrimination reports in North Holland
The number of discrimination complaints in the province of North Holland rose significantly in 2025, reaching 2,070 compared to 1,332 in 2024. Data from the national discrimination monitor shows that ...
Poultry injuries before slaughter decreasing but still occur
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) reports that poultry animals, including chickens and ducks, continue to suffer injuries before being slaughtered. However, the regulat...
Roman D. deliberately stabbed Dam Square victims in the back to avoid looking them in the eye
Roman D., a suspect in a March 2023 stabbing near Amsterdam's Dam square, reportedly told prison staff he targeted victims in the back to punish European taxpayers for funding the war in Ukraine. The ...
Strict asylum laws in jeopardy after PVV U-turn
Strict asylum laws in the Netherlands are at risk after the PVV demanded that providing assistance to undocumented immigrants be criminalized. This demand is unacceptable to the CDA and SGP, likely re...