Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Stricter terrorism controls in Port of IJmuiden, many quays equipped with fences
The Port of IJmuiden is implementing stricter security measures and restricting public access to several quays to combat terrorism. Following the example of other major Dutch ports like Rotterdam and ...
Will Americans get their money back? Lawsuits loom after $175 billion in import tariffs
After the U.S. Supreme Court rejected certain import duties, American businesses and consumers are exploring legal avenues to recover $175 billion in paid tariffs. Despite the ruling, Donald Trump has...
Four debates in Bloemendaal ahead of municipal elections
Bloemendaal will host four election debates in preparation for the upcoming municipal elections. The series begins on Friday, February 20, with the "Rainbow Debate" held in Aerdenhout.
Venezuelan authorities grant amnesty to 379 prisoners
Venezuelan authorities have granted amnesty to 379 political prisoners following the passage of a new law on Friday. The move follows the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro from power and is ...
The tax authorities as the worm in the apple
Reforming the tax system has emerged as one of the most significant challenges for the Dutch government, despite being overshadowed by high-profile issues like nitrogen and migration. This complex fis...
Beverwijk sacrifices green space for Heemskerk housing development: 299 new homes near station area
The Beverwijk city council has approved a plan to construct 299 new homes at Euratomplein near the Heemskerk station area. The project involves building on a small portion of land belonging to Beverwi...
'If this ban is implemented, it won't solve the PFAS problem': Jasper Roubos from Haarlemmermeer fears for the future of Dutch arable farming
Dutch farmer Jasper Roubos warns that a potential ban on pesticides containing PFAS could destroy the country's arable farming sector without effectively solving the chemical pollution problem. The Ne...
Netherlands considers ban on PFAS pesticides
The Netherlands is considering a ban on various pesticides containing PFAS to protect the country's groundwater. While drinking water companies support the potential measure, farmers have expressed si...
Life can be lonely as a Palestinian in Amsterdam: ‘We long for a safe space to share our pain’
The newly formed Palestinian Network Amsterdam (PNA) has launched a series of gatherings to provide a safe, supportive space for Palestinians in the city to connect and heal from collective trauma. Su...
Amsterdam-Noord’s frayed edges under pressure: ‘Without these places, you become a kind of Almere. That is a choice’
Rapid population growth in Amsterdam-Noord is threatening the survival of unique creative and community-led "fringes" as temporary leases expire to make room for housing and sports facilities. Residen...
These Americans traded the US for Amsterdam because of Trump
A growing number of Americans are emigrating to the Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, driven by political dissatisfaction and safety concerns in the United States. Statistics from the Dutch Immigra...
Schoof reflects on premiership: 'When they asked me I thought it was a joke that got out of hand'
In a farewell interview, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof rated his performance between a six and a seven after leading a coalition of PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB for eighteen months. Schoof, a non-partisa...
Police praise critical eye of Big Brother Awards
The Dutch National Police have adjusted their operational methods based on critical feedback provided by the digital rights organization Bits of Freedom. During the 2025 Big Brother Awards, Deputy Pol...
Dutch Tax Authority continues to use algorithms, promises improvement
The Dutch Tax Authority has committed to using algorithms more responsibly following criticism and receiving a Big Brother Award for privacy violations. However, a spokesperson stated that the organiz...
Sale of Diemerbos forest scrapped: ‘We said: we won’t let that happen’
The sale of the Diemerbos recreation area between Diemen and Amsterdam has been averted for the next two years after local and provincial governments reached a joint financial agreement. The funding a...
Mayor Halsema: homeless foreign crack addicts may be repatriated more often
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has proposed scaling up the voluntary repatriation of homeless foreign drug users, particularly Eastern European migrants, to address the city's growing crack cocaine pro...
Public art not representative: Amsterdam is a male stronghold when looking at statues
The city of Amsterdam is developing a new policy framework to ensure its 1,750 public artworks and monuments are more representative of its diverse population. Research indicates that women, people wi...
Andrew may be removed from line of succession after Epstein case
The British government is considering legislation to remove Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession due to his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. This move would proceed once the police investigation ...
Trump calls Supreme Court ruling a disgrace and announces new tariff
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized a Supreme Court ruling that declared many of his import tariffs illegal, calling the decision a "disgrace." Trump expressed deep disappointment in the judges...
Power struggle within BBB: Mona Keijzer was supposed to take over
Internal tension has surfaced within the BBB party following the unexpected appointment of Henk Vermeer as the successor to leader Caroline van der Plas. Although Mona Keijzer was previously slated to...
Caroline's shadow, the party's 'fixer': who is Henk Vermeer really?
Henk Vermeer is stepping into a more prominent leadership role within the Dutch BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) party as leader Caroline van der Plas takes a step back from the spotlight. Known as the party'...
Merz re-elected CDU leader with 91 percent of the vote
Friedrich Merz has been re-elected as the chairman of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after securing 91 percent of the vote at the party's congress. This result confirms his continued lea...
Zelensky: US and Russia want Ukraine to give up Donbas
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in an interview with AFP that both the United States and Russia are pressuring Kyiv to cede the Donbas region to end the war immediately. Zelensky emphasi...
Amsterdam asks government for help tackling moldy homes
Amsterdam Housing Alderman Zita Pels has requested support from the Dutch national government to address the issue of mold in local residential properties. The city aims to ensure healthy and mold-fre...
NU+ | How Prince Andrew was increasingly backed into a corner
Former Prince Andrew has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, marking a significant escalation in a long-standing criminal investigation. The arrest follows years of controversy ...
Police seek contact with Prince Andrew's (former) security guards
The Metropolitan Police are seeking to contact current and former security officers who worked closely with Prince Andrew as part of an ongoing investigation. Authorities are asking these individuals ...
US now also eases environmental rules on mercury emissions
The Trump administration is relaxing environmental regulations concerning the emission of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants. According to the EPA, the policy change is intended to help older ...
State Secretary advises parents to keep children away from play sand
Dutch State Secretary Judith Tielen has advised parents and organizations to prevent children from playing with play sand due to concerns over potential asbestos contamination. While no formal ban has...
Why the Van Berkel case is also making other ministers nervous
Nathalie van Berkel of the D66 party has withdrawn as the designated State Secretary of Finance and as a Member of Parliament after it was revealed that her CV contained incorrect information. This de...
Coffee with Tim Kuijsten (ChristenUnie): Not becoming a city where people live past each other
Tim Kuijsten, the lead candidate for the ChristenUnie in Amsterdam, aims to reclaim the party's city council seat by focusing on strengthening community institutions like churches and neighborhood cen...