Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
BBB board regrets leak of critical letter from prominent members
The board of the BBB party expressed regret following the media leak of a critical letter written by dozens of prominent members, including senators and former officials. The letter voiced dissatisfac...
Thousands of homes, no North/South line: the results of Haarlemmermeer's coalition plans
The political coalition in Haarlemmermeer has largely fulfilled its promises from four years ago, including the construction of 3,000 new homes and improvements to local parking. However, despite thes...
Many traditional Dutch names, few women: these are next week's city council candidates
The upcoming municipal elections feature a high number of candidates with traditional Dutch male names, although newer names are becoming more common. Women remain significantly underrepresented on th...
Swimming lessons for one euro in Amsterdam: What you need to know if you have a Stadspas
Starting in September, Amsterdam residents with a Stadspas can attend swimming lessons for only one euro per session. The initiative by the municipality aims to improve water safety in the canal-fille...
Dutch officials targeted by Russian attack on Signal and WhatsApp
The Dutch intelligence services AIVD and MIVD have warned that Russian hackers are targeting the Signal and WhatsApp accounts of high-ranking individuals, including Dutch government employees. These c...
Trial against former mayor and Erdogan rival İmamoğlu begins
The trial of former Istanbul mayor and presidential rival Ekrem İmamoğlu has begun in Turkey, with prosecutors filing 142 charges including bribery and money laundering. İmamoğlu and over 400 othe...
Von der Leyen wants critical review of EU foreign policy decision-making
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for a critical evaluation of the European Union's foreign policy decision-making processes. She suggests that current procedures may no lo...
Voting in the municipal elections? You can at these 88 locations in Haarlem
On March 18, residents of Haarlem will be able to vote in the municipal elections at 88 polling stations across the city. According to data from the Open State Foundation, this is an increase of one l...
Hans Spekman new chairman of FNV trade union
Former PvdA party chairman Hans Spekman has been appointed as the new chairman of the Dutch trade union FNV. The move is intended to restore stability within the organization following an internal con...
What can local politics do to solve youth care problems? Pletterij hosts debate evening
Debate center De Pletterij is hosting an evening on March 11 to discuss youth care challenges and how municipal politics can address them. The event is organized in anticipation of the upcoming munici...
Companies fear more pressure on permanent staff as temporary workers are already impossible to find
Dutch companies are concerned about increasing pressure on permanent staff as stricter flexible work regulations approach and a shortage of flex workers persists. Only 6% of self-employed individuals ...
Persistence often pays off in Bloemendaal politics: Caravan dwellers must keep speaking out for pitches
Caravan dwellers from Overveen left a Bloemendaal council meeting in disappointment on Thursday following discussions about new site locations. The residents are being encouraged to continue their adv...
European gas prices jump another 30% amid ongoing Iran war
European gas prices surged by 30 percent on Monday, driven by rising oil prices and continued instability in the Middle East. The market remains volatile as the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and th...
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of new war crime
Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of committing a war crime by allegedly using illegal white phosphorus ammunition during an attack in South Lebanon. The organization noted that exposure to the ch...
Voting behavior in outlying villages like Driemond differs from the city: We are the forgotten child
Residents in outlying villages of Amsterdam, such as Driemond, exhibit distinct voting patterns compared to the city center, often favoring right-wing parties and expressing feelings of neglect. While...
Voting patterns in outlying villages like Driemond differ from the city: We are the forgotten child
Voting behavior in outlying villages of Amsterdam like Driemond differs from the city center, with residents showing higher support for right-wing parties and lower voter turnout. Locals often feel di...
Santpoort-Zuid residents have few wishes but worry about asylum center: 'I miss a meeting place in the village'
Residents of Santpoort-Zuid show little interest in the upcoming municipal elections, focusing primarily on concerns regarding a proposed asylum seekers center at the De Elta sports park. Some residen...
'During the KLM Open the bus can suddenly stop': Caroline campaigns for buses to stop at ghost stop in Badhoevedorp
Residents in Badhoevedorp, led by activist Caroline, are protesting at a 'ghost bus stop' on Koekoekslaan to demand that passing buses regularly stop for passengers. Although buses frequently drive pa...
Verwulft 1 fast-tracked for monument status: ‘Not going so fast? I have to reconsider that’
The former shop building at Verwulft 1, dating from 1890, is being fast-tracked for monument status to preserve its historical character ahead of its sale. Political parties D66 and ChristenUnie reque...
'Some places in Heemskerk are too dark for women to walk or cycle', says councillor seeking 'female perspective' on paths
Councilor Anita Perré-Meijer has raised concerns about poorly lit areas in Heemskerk that make residents, particularly women, feel unsafe while walking or cycling. She is asking the local council to ...
American companies can shut down our card payments, leading to chaos
Inge van Dijk, Director of Payments at the Dutch Central Bank (DNB), warns that the Netherlands' heavy reliance on American service providers for digital payments poses a significant security risk. Th...
Bloemendaal still unsafe for cyclists: A radical change is needed
Recent data from the Fietsersbond ranks Bloemendaal as one of the most dangerous municipalities for cyclists, reporting nearly 19 accidents per 10,000 residents annually. Local advocates criticize the...
Narrow victory for Greens in Baden-Württemberg
The Green Party secured a narrow victory over the CDU in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, according to provisional election results. The Greens received 30.2 percent of the vote, while Chancell...
Six killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza Strip
Six Palestinians, including two minors, were killed in two Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Local health authorities reported that these were the deadliest strikes since the conflict invol...
More deaths in US attack on suspected drug boat
Six people were killed on Sunday during a U.S. military attack on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The U.S. military stated that the vessel was suspected of being involved in drug trafficking.
82 percent of Amsterdammers still consider tourism a problem
Europe triples arms imports and continues to buy mainly from the US
European countries have tripled their weapon imports in recent years, with the vast majority of equipment sourced from the United States. Data from the SIPRI research institute shows that American exp...
Jetten sees no reason to lower fuel excise duties
Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated that there is currently no reason to lower excise duties on fuel despite rising prices. During a television appearance, he emphasized that the government is monitoring...
Anke Bakker (Party for the Animals): "Nobody wants to hear that there are limits to growth"
Anke Bakker, the Amsterdam leader for the Party for the Animals, argues that the city is reaching its physical limits for housing construction and urban growth. She emphasizes that prioritizing buildi...
Arya (13) joins women's march in Alkmaar for the first time
Thirteen-year-old Arya participated in her first International Women's Day march in Alkmaar, joining about 100 activists to advocate for equal rights and an end to gender discrimination. Similar event...