Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Wobbly Trump tries to set the tone by excluding the press
President Trump has blocked journalists from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from accessing the White House, citing concerns over perceived biased reporting. While the administration aims to curb critical m...
You don't win elections with homeless people: why politics is failing them
The number of homeless people in the Netherlands is rising, marked by visible signs of hardship in public spaces. Political reporter Hans van Soest criticizes politicians for prioritizing internal par...
Use of penalty payments under debate: If people only file requests to harass the government, you have to put on the brakes
Activist Frank van der Linde has sparked national debate after obtaining large penalty payments from the government through legal requests. Critics argue the system is being exploited for harassment, ...
Mayor Halsema visits counterpart Mamdani in New York
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema is visiting New York City to attend the Urban20 diplomatic conference, where she is meeting with international leaders to discuss affordable housing, climate, and migrati...
Mayor and Schiphol boss swap jobs for a day: 'Not to emphasize friendship'
Schiphol CEO Pieter van Oord and Haarlemmermeer Mayor Marianne Schuurmans temporarily swapped jobs to gain deeper insight into their differing organizational interests. The exchange allowed both leade...
Busy Amsterdam and quiet Weesp face same high tourist tax? "We want a tailored approach"
Amsterdam plans to raise its tourist tax to 20 percent by 2031, a policy that currently also impacts the quieter town of Weesp. Local business owners are requesting a tailored approach, arguing that t...
After years of talk, asylum numbers are suddenly falling
The number of asylum applications in the Netherlands has unexpectedly decreased in recent months, contradicting the typical trend of a peak during summer and early autumn. Investigations into the reas...
Data vault must be investigated according to childcare benefits victim and entrepreneur Gülşah Aknipar
Victims of the childcare benefits scandal are demanding a formal investigation into a hidden digital vault containing millions of documents to determine if the Tax and Customs Administration intention...
The Amsterdam of Volt faction leader Juliet Broersen: ‘At snack bar Marja they’ve seen me in every state: after work, soaked, hungover’
Juliet Broersen, the Amsterdam city council faction leader for Volt, enjoys visiting several local spots in her free time. Her favorite locations include Snackbar Marja, the cafe De Oranjerie for ches...
Trump announces plan to ban major media, including CNN, from White House
Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on several major media organizations, including CNN and Politico, from the White House, accusing them of spreading misinformation. Press freedom groups have...
Jörgen Tjon A Fong leaves Amsterdam Arts Council for Council for Culture
Jörgen Tjon A Fong has been appointed as the incoming chair of the national Council for Culture, effective January 2027. Currently serving as head of the Amsterdam Arts Council, Tjon A Fong will tran...
Amsterdam civil servant Jim B. supplied addresses for 95 violent incidents: from 36 bombings to two attempted murders
A 48-year-old Amsterdam civil servant, Jim B., is on trial for allegedly leaking personal addresses to criminals who used the data to carry out 95 violent attacks, including bombings and attempted mur...
Bankruptcy of Haarlem slaughterhouse inevitable, but politicians want a fresh start
The Slachthuis music venue in Haarlem has filed for bankruptcy due to significant financial debts, forcing an end to the current organization's operations. Despite the closure, local politicians and c...
Whenever ministers complain about Prime Minister Jetten, Wilders is all too happy to fan the flames
The Dutch cabinet remains undecided on which opposition partners to pursue for majority support, leading to persistent political uncertainty. Internal tension has also mounted as ministers openly crit...
Ouder-Amstel municipal council wants investigation into improving safety on Ronde Hoep
The Ouder-Amstel municipal council has called for an investigation into improving traffic safety on the Ronde Hoep following a fatal cycling accident. Officials are seeking both long-term infrastructu...
Cabinet allocates millions for evacuation of 250 sick children from Gaza to Jordan
The Dutch government is providing 12 million euros to support medical care for children from the Gaza Strip, including 6 million euros specifically for the evacuation and treatment of 250 children in ...
Cabinet and opposition to have coffee again, BBB sent to the naughty corner
Prime Minister Rob Jetten is launching a new round of talks with opposition parties to secure a legislative majority, while temporarily excluding the BBB following their support for a motion of no con...
Mauritshuis must return painting to heirs, says Minister Letschert
Minister Letschert has mandated that the Mauritshuis museum return a 17th-century painting to the heirs of art dealer Jacques Goudstikker. The decision aligns with a Restitutions Committee report conf...
British politicians investigate UK's Eurovision failure
British politicians are investigating the United Kingdom's recent poor performance at the Eurovision Song Contest to understand why the country consistently ranks near the bottom. The committee plans ...
Politics on the Amstel: Is Amsterdam out of money and where was Halsema during Budget Day?
Amsterdam has unveiled its budget for the coming year, leading to concerns about whether the city can afford its planned investments. Local political commentators are analyzing the impact of these fin...
Cabinet must find more funds to inform public about right to social assistance
The Dutch government must find a new way to fund its 30 million euro proactive social assistance program after a proposed budget cut to child-related allowances failed to gain support. This initiative...
ECB President Lagarde leaves door ajar for early departure
ECB President Christine Lagarde has raised questions about her future by declining to confirm she will remain in office until her term ends in October 2027. Potential successors are already being disc...
I advise him to just stay silent now: corruption suspect does not spill the beans after threats
Amsterdam municipal official Jim B. is currently facing trial for allegedly performing 95 unauthorized queries in systems linked to violent incidents, marking one of the largest corruption cases in hi...
Hungary can be independent of Russian gas within a year, says energy minister
Hungarian Energy Minister Kapitány announced that the country can eliminate its dependence on Russian gas within one year by diversifying energy sources and utilizing existing reserves. The governmen...
Judge: new owner of Vogelenzang family campsite may hear witnesses
The municipality of Bloemendaal lost an appeal in a dispute over the stalled development of 350 chalets at the former Vogelenzang campsite. A court ruled that the owner, MarinaParken, may call witness...
Time and again I saw Amsterdam politicians leave for The Hague, and now I am joining that same procession
Political reporter Tim Wagemakers reflects on the nature of local governance in Amsterdam, noting that small, incremental policy changes contribute to the long-term development of the city. He also co...
Zara Larsson slams use of music in Trump deportation video: 'Inhumane'
Singer Zara Larsson has condemned the White House for using her music in a video promoting mass deportations, describing the content as inhumane. She expressed empathy for undocumented immigrants seek...
French fishermen furious over fuel prices block ports for hours
French fishermen recently organized nationwide port and oil terminal blockades to protest the record-high fuel prices affecting their industry. The government ended the demonstrations by agreeing to i...
Nearly sixty arrests during counter-protest at Israel demonstration on Dam Square
Nearly sixty people were arrested on Amsterdam's Dam Square on Thursday following unauthorized counter-protests during an Israel-related demonstration. While thirteen individuals were detained for cri...
Is the city's tourism policy driving away the wrong visitors? Coalition refuses to change course
Amsterdam's coalition government is facing backlash from the hospitality and business sectors due to a sharp decline in business travelers and plans to increase tourist taxes to the highest level in t...