Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Laptop on lap, in a hallway: plans for Budget Day have been overhauled before
The Dutch government is planning significant revisions to the budget proposal presented on Prinsjesdag. Similar adjustments were made in 2023, though the overall success of those past changes remains ...
People who fail to pay health insurance premiums will no longer face higher bills
The Dutch government plans to abolish the 10 percent surcharge currently imposed on health insurance premiums for individuals who fall behind on payments. Both the CAK and health insurers agree that t...
Halsema: Fining homeless people in doorways remains possible if outdoor sleeping ban is scrapped
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema states that while the city plans to scrap the general ban on outdoor sleeping, homeless individuals could still be fined for nuisance behavior in doorways under different...
Sleeping in doorways of homes and shops remains illegal, even if Amsterdam scraps fines for sleeping rough
Amsterdam will maintain a ban on sleeping in doorways of homes and shops even if the city proceeds with its plan to abolish general fines for rough sleeping. Mayor Femke Halsema clarified that authori...
Operation Fur: Council backs alderman in fight against slumlords, but criticizes results
Amsterdam alderman Zita Pels has committed to auditing 20,000 homes to tackle housing exploitation, though council members are skeptical about the plan's feasibility due to budget cuts and past enforc...
Operation Fur: Council backs alderman in fight against slumlords, but criticizes results
Amsterdam Alderman Zita Pels has launched an ambitious initiative to inspect 20,000 rental properties, aiming to curb high costs and slumlord behavior. While the city council supports the goal, member...
'Secret' draft budget revealed: different Box 3 plan, baby bonus, and cheaper flowers after all
A leaked draft budget from Finance Minister Eelco Heinen revealed plans to secure opposition support through tax concessions, a baby bonus, and lower VAT for flowers. The proposal was ultimately rejec...
US interest rates almost certain to rise, and we will feel it immediately in the Netherlands
The U.S. Federal Reserve faces pressure regarding a potential interest rate hike, with concerns over political backlash and financial market stability. Any decision made by the central bank is expecte...
The Kidnapping of a President shows how bungled the 1930 abduction of the Finnish president was: 'All the blundering happened exactly like that'
Director Samuli Valkama explores the botched 1930 kidnapping of the first Finnish president by right-wing extremists in his film, The Kidnapping of a President. The movie takes a comedic approach to t...
Nijkerk company loses case: ban on Israeli products remains
A Dutch court has upheld a ban on the import and sale of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, rejecting a challenge from the Nijkerk-based Israel Products Center. The court determined that t...
Read here the questions readers had about the Budget Memorandum, such as: Will I be punished if I don't drive an electric car?
Dutch journalists held a live Q&A session to address public inquiries regarding the 2026 Budget Memorandum. Topics ranged from economic policy and healthcare premiums to future changes in disability b...
LIVE Q&A: How difficult is it for The Hague to focus on what unites the parties?
Journalists from the AD hosted a live Q&A session on September 16, 2026, to explain the implications of the annual Dutch government budget proposal. The discussion covered a variety of public concerns...
Inspectorate to reduce taxi inspections next year due to budget cuts
The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) will reduce oversight in several areas, including the taxi industry, due to budget cuts and rising operational costs. The agency is shiftin...
64 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
Last week, the municipality of Haarlem processed 64 permit applications involving various construction, renovation, and environmental projects throughout the city. The submissions include plans for re...
Mayors in letter to cabinet: medicine for crack addicts is needed
The mayors of four major Dutch cities have appealed to the national cabinet for funding and permission to research medical treatments for crack addiction. They argue that rising numbers of homeless an...
Mayors in letter to cabinet: medicine for crack addicts is needed
The mayors of four major Dutch cities have sent a joint letter to the cabinet requesting urgent support to tackle the escalating crisis of homelessness and crack addiction. They are seeking authorizat...
Box 171 that exploded in Osdorp was a 'criminal box' with bombs and (heavy) firearms according to judicial authorities
An explosion beneath an Osdorp gym was caused by two suspects assembling explosive devices for ATM raids in a storage unit. Police investigations revealed the unit contained the bomb-making equipment,...
EU wants social media ban for children under thirteen
The European Union has introduced the Kids Act to regulate social media access for minors, proposing a total ban for children under thirteen. Adolescents aged thirteen to fifteen would require parenta...
Opposition critical, unions angry: how will the cabinet secure a majority for the budget?
The Dutch minority government, led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten, is facing significant difficulty gaining opposition support for its budget during the General Political Deliberations. Political partie...
COA wants to extend asylum seeker boat in Westelijk Havengebied again, alderman hesitant
The COA has requested a fifth extension for the MS Galaxy asylum seeker ship in Amsterdam, which was originally intended as a temporary emergency shelter. Alderman Zita Pels is evaluating the request ...
COA wants to extend asylum seeker boat in Western Docklands, alderman doubtful
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers has requested an extension for the emergency shelter ship MS Galaxy in Amsterdam. City officials remain hesitant to grant this fifth extension du...
Alderman Pels plans to build flexible housing for fifty homeless mothers and children in Amsterdam within a year
Amsterdam Alderman Pels is working to secure government support for a project that would install flexible housing for homeless mothers and children on vacant land within one year. The initiative aims ...
Eva Jinek said with audible pleasure that the cabinet meetings had gone to shit
Television host Eva Jinek discussed reports of a hostile atmosphere within cabinet budget meetings, while government officials later participated in a live television event to engage with citizens fro...
Not a political analysis like any other: these are the three things to watch today
The Dutch cabinet faces a complex political landscape as it enters the General Political Reflections, marked by internal coalition disagreements and a fragmented opposition. Prime Minister Rob Jetten ...
Trump closes Kennedy Center until judge allows his name on facade
Donald Trump has closed the Kennedy Center in Washington after a judge denied his request to display his name on the building, ruling that Congressional approval is required for such memorials. Trump ...
EU needs answers on Ukraine, high interest rates and energy prices; what will the EU chief present tomorrow?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver her State of the European Union address this Wednesday. The speech is expected to address critical ongoing challenges including the conf...
State Secretary: sabotage acts crossed a major line
State Secretary Annet Bertram has denounced recent sabotage acts in the central and eastern Netherlands, calling them unacceptable and a major overstep. While the perpetrators remain unknown, safety s...
Prinsjesdag 2026: what the Budget Memorandum means for Amsterdam
The Dutch government’s 2026 budget introduces increased near-term funding for municipalities but signals future budget cuts, impacting Amsterdam's long-term financial planning. While the city welcom...
Prinsjesdag 2026: what the Budget Memorandum means for Amsterdam
The 2026 Dutch budget offers Amsterdam increased funding for housing construction and innovation but faces criticism from city officials for insufficient investment in climate, mental healthcare, and ...
Mixed reactions in Amsterdam: funding for Zuidasdok but silence on homelessness in Budget Memorandum
The Dutch government has announced new funding for the Zuidasdok project in Amsterdam as part of the latest Budget Memorandum. Despite this investment, the budget has been criticized for neglecting to...