Politics News in English

Dutch Media Authority loses confidence in Ongehoord Nederland

The Dutch Media Authority has lost confidence in the broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland following a broadcast that featured a speech by Adolf Hitler. The regulator has submitted an investigation report t...

Embarrassing message from De Jonge: MPs had to be 'punished in the afterlife'

Former Health Minister Hugo de Jonge apologized during a parliamentary hearing after private messages revealed he expressed strong contempt for MPs and cabinet colleagues during the Covid-19 crisis. H...

Putters at corona hearing: 'I quickly realized it was a multi-faceted crisis'

Former Health Minister Hugo de Jonge testified before a parliamentary committee regarding his conduct and communications during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing exposed private messages where he dis...

SP holds free Festival for Equality in Haarlem

The Socialist Party is hosting its third annual Festival for Equality in Haarlem's Nelson Mandelapark on September 5th. The free event features live music, guest speakers, and booths from various soci...

Easing EU emissions rules barely helps industry, while emissions rise

A report from the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis states that proposed EU emissions regulation changes will likely lead to a 33 percent increase in carbon emissions. The analysis sugge...

Dozens living illegally on boats in Erasmusgracht without water or electricity

Approximately thirty boats moored along the Erasmusgracht in Amsterdam are currently used as illegal residences, often by people facing financial barriers to traditional housing. Local authorities are...

Opposition accepts Alderman Van der Horst's explanation on the Oostbrug: 'There was no deception of voters'

The Amsterdam city council has cleared Alderman Van der Horst of accusations that she intentionally misled voters by withholding information about the rising costs of the Oostbrug project. Following t...

Maltese businessman acquitted in murder case of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia

A Maltese businessman has been acquitted of charges that he ordered the 2017 assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Although five other people have been convicted for their involvement in...

Minister Letschert wants to investigate matters first, laughable and cringeworthy

Özcan Akyol criticizes Minister Letschert's decision to investigate matters further, calling the approach laughable and cringeworthy. The columnist shares his personal observations in his recurring t...

Armed attack in Overasselt is not 'unprecedented' or 'un-Dutch': this type of violence has occurred more often since 2010

While officials labeled a recent armed revenge attack in Overasselt as unprecedented, critics argue such violence has become more common in the Netherlands since 2010. This characterization is viewed ...

Chaos over box 3 deepens: coalition delays decision, repairs halted for now

The Dutch coalition government has delayed a critical tax reform for box 3 assets, potentially costing the state 2.4 billion euros annually. Disagreements over the taxation of unrealized capital gains...

Haarlem district designated for rapid construction of 6,000 homes: "A good step"

The Dutch government has designated the Schalkwijk district in Haarlem as a national priority area to fast-track the construction of 5,000 to 6,000 new homes. This initiative will support the municipa...

Half of EU lawmakers from PRO defy Klaver and want to remain with the Greens

Half of the European Parliament members from the newly formed party Progressief Nederland (PRO) are defying leader Jesse Klaver by expressing their desire to remain with the Greens instead of joining ...

Marius Borg Høiby does not contest extension of detention following death of King Harald

Marius Borg Høiby has accepted a four-week extension of his detention to ensure he can attend the funeral of his step-grandfather, King Harald. Despite disagreeing with the prosecution's justificatio...

Very cheap room in the heart of London: Booking.com leaves fake ad for 10 Downing Street listing up

The British consumer group Which? created a fake Booking.com listing for 10 Downing Street to demonstrate how easily fraudulent advertisements can persist on the platform. Despite the absurdity of the...

Wijnants (VVD) doubts more expensive East Bridge: "Predict it will cost 1 billion euros"

VVD faction leader Daan Wijnants is questioning the viability of the Oostbrug project in Amsterdam due to rising costs, which he estimates could hit 1 billion euros. He argues that the Westbrug should...

Municipality provides no alternative transport during September 9 public transport strike: That is not good news for Noord

A nationwide 24-hour public transport strike on September 9 will halt all trains, buses, metros, and ferries, leaving residents of Amsterdam-Noord largely isolated. City officials have rejected altern...

International team of dozens of perpetrators in Overasselt previously met in Belgian warehouse

An international group of dozens of criminals involved in a recent incident in Overasselt previously met at a warehouse in Brussels. The men, who were primarily from France and Belgium, were recruited...

Municipality and central government collaborate to speed up construction in Schalkwijk

Schalkwijk in Haarlem has been designated as a national large-scale housing location to fast-track the development of over 5,000 new, affordable homes. The municipality will receive central government...

Just as thirty heavily armed criminals in Overasselt shock the Netherlands, an enviable series on subversive drug crime begins

End of the line for presidium: Bij1 parliamentary leader Tofik Dibi is registered in Amsterdam

Bij1 council member Tofik Dibi faced potential removal from his position following reports of unpaid rent and an unknown residential address. Dibi has since returned to the council, confirming he is o...

Tofik Dibi addresses rent arrears and bailiff scandal: "I am a human with real human problems"

Amsterdam city council member Tofik Dibi has addressed concerns regarding his residency and financial situation after reports surfaced about his rent arrears and avoidence of bailiffs. Dibi confirmed ...

Coronavirus committee questions Kajsa Ollongren, Grapperhaus to appear later today

Former ministers Ferd Grapperhaus and Kajsa Ollongren provided second testimonies to the parliamentary committee investigating the Dutch government's COVID-19 response. The hearings revealed internal ...

Grapperhaus praises Rutte, but texts reveal 'autocratic' PM 'really made mistakes' during pandemic

Former Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus testified before a parliamentary inquiry, praising Mark Rutte while leaked messages revealed his private criticism of the prime minister's autocratic tendencie...

Former minister Grapperhaus was 'quite exhausted' at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic

Former Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus testified before a parliamentary committee investigating the COVID-19 pandemic, where leaked text messages revealed he used derogatory language toward colleagu...

Housing associations: we can build 20,000 new homes in Amsterdam if profit tax is abolished for us

Housing associations in Amsterdam are urging Housing Minister Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan to eliminate profit taxes for their organizations. They estimate that such a policy change would provide the ...

Vote at the Stopera at 12:30 PM: Oostbrug cost explosion and what to do with data centers?

The Amsterdam city council is debating the significant cost overrun of the Oostbrug project amid allegations that former alderman Melanie van der Horst withheld financial information from the council....

Judith Krom (PvdD) chair of Amsterdam presidium: ‘Guardian of the culture within the council’

Judith Krom of the PvdD has been appointed as the new chair of the Amsterdam city council presidium after a period of intense political deliberation. She will be responsible for overseeing council ope...

1.5-degree target is a lost cause: 'There are no good scenarios left now'

A new UN report warns that the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming target will be temporarily exceeded even under the best-case scenarios. Scientists emphasize that significant environmental damage is a...

Nine questions about the nuisance caused by homeless crack addicts in Amsterdam – and what can be done about it

Mayor Femke Halsema has expressed urgent concern over rising homelessness and drug-related issues in Amsterdam. Journalists have been investigating the underlying causes of this crisis, including the ...