Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Three local parties want to break through in Amsterdam: can they take on the established order?
Three local parties—De Stem van Amsterdam, Hart voor Amsterdam, and Namens Amsterdammers—are campaigning to challenge the established political order in Amsterdam's upcoming municipal elections. T...
Half-million euro fine for construction companies that bribed Sint Maarten minister
Two subsidiaries of the construction company VolkerWessels were ordered by a court in Zwolle on Thursday to pay a combined fine of €480,000 for bribing former Sint Maarten minister Theo Heyliger. Th...
Rising numbers of people unable to work costing the treasury billions
Rising disability benefit costs are placing a multi-billion euro burden on the state treasury as the number of people unable to work continues to grow. In response to these skyrocketing expenses, the ...
Dutch want to live more sustainably, but government misses opportunities
Most Dutch citizens are willing to adopt more sustainable and climate-conscious lifestyles, which could potentially save megatons of CO2 emissions. However, the government is currently missing opportu...
Government raises 923 million euros from emission rights auction
The Dutch government raised approximately 923 million euros last year through the auction of carbon emission rights. These rights must be purchased by large industrial companies to legally emit CO2, w...
A coffee with Grethe van Geffen (Namens Amsterdammers): "People feel let down"
Grethe van Geffen, leader of the local party Namens Amsterdammers, is campaigning for the municipal elections with proposals to reduce bureaucracy and improve community facilities in areas like IJburg...
Should Zandvoort circuit make way for housing?
The Zandvoort municipal council is debating the possibility of using the local racing circuit for long-term housing development over the next 30 to 40 years. While some political parties support explo...
Fat bike ban to proceed as PvdA and GroenLinks change course
The Amsterdam city council coalition parties GroenLinks and PvdA have decided to support a proposal granting the municipality the authority to ban fatbikes in busy urban areas. While specific location...
Netherlands and Belgium want better train connections: 'Of strategic importance'
The Netherlands and Belgium have agreed to strengthen their cooperation to improve cross-border rail connections between the two countries. This initiative is considered of strategic importance to enh...
Eelco Eerenberg to replace Van Berkel as D66 State Secretary for Finance
The D66 party has nominated Utrecht alderman Eelco Eerenberg as the new State Secretary of Finance. He replaces the previously intended candidate, Van Berkel, who recently stepped down from the positi...
Advisory body SER calls for eight weeks of paid leave for informal caregivers
The Dutch advisory body SER is calling for the government to provide eight weeks of paid leave to help informal caregivers balance their jobs with their caregiving responsibilities. This recommendatio...
Keenan had to keep relationship with Jetten secret: It was noticeable that he sneaked out late at night
Nicolás Keenan, an Argentine professional hockey player and fiancé of Dutch politician Rob Jetten, is profiled as the first openly queer player in the Netherlands' top hockey league. The article hig...
Larger European power grid good for prices but creates dependency
Expanding the European power grid would lower electricity prices for the Netherlands but increase its dependency on other member states, according to a study by the CPB. The report notes that without ...
Tech billionaires (and Dick Schoof) discuss the future of AI at Indian summit
Leaders from major technology companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, are gathering in India to discuss the future and impact of artificial intelligence. Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Dick...
New cabinet cuts benefits: how the plans hit the long-term sick
The new Dutch cabinet’s proposed budget cuts will reduce benefits for fully incapacitated employees by up to 270 euros per month. Additional austerity measures could potentially increase these losse...
U2 lashes out at ICE agents and Iranian regime on first album since 2017
U2 has unexpectedly released a new EP titled *Days of Ash*, marking the band's first release since 2017. The record features guest musician Ed Sheeran and addresses social injustices, specifically cri...
Halsema lashes out at British police over claim about shared information on Maccabi fans
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has criticized the West Midlands Police for falsely claiming that their decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa match was based on intelligence provided...
Council members react to polls: "The campaign has begun!"
A recent poll for the Amsterdam municipal elections shows PvdA and GroenLinks competing for the lead, while the VVD faces a decline and local parties struggle to secure seats. City council members rea...
Security cameras to tackle persistent youth nuisance in Hoofddorp shopping area
The Haarlemmermeer municipality will install surveillance cameras at the Vier Meren shopping center in Hoofddorp next month to combat persistent youth nuisance, including theft, brawls, and a recent s...
Coffee with Erik Bobeldijk (1 World 1 Future): "Not living at the expense of our children and grandchildren"
Erik Bobeldijk, a former SP councilor, has launched the new political party "1 Wereld 1 Toekomst" to contest the upcoming municipal elections in Amsterdam. The party focuses on addressing global issue...
Cyclists and pedestrians happy: new bridge over Leidsevaart in Bloemendaal opens
Alderman Thessa van der Windt officially opened a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Leidsevaart in Vogelenzang on Wednesday, replacing the unsafe Stationsbrug that was removed 18 months ago. ...
Heated Stek Oost debate ends in motion of censure supported only by part of the opposition
Amsterdam city councilors Zita Pels and Rutger Groot Wassink faced an interpellation debate on Wednesday regarding safety concerns at Stek Oost, a housing complex for refugees and young starters. Oppo...
From Sinterklaas arrival to neighborhood parties: 2.5 million euros for events in 2026
The city has allocated over 2.5 million euros in subsidies for events across Amsterdam and Weesp scheduled for 2026. These funds will support a wide range of activities, from large-scale traditions li...
PvdA, GroenLinks and D66 neck-and-neck in poll a month before municipal elections
A recent poll for the Amsterdam municipal elections shows PvdA, GroenLinks, and D66 in a neck-and-neck race, with PvdA currently leading at 17.8% of the projected vote. While the VVD and BIJ1 are expe...
War hero Tuinman was no ordinary state secretary: ‘They found that terrifying here’
Gijs Tuinman is stepping down as the Dutch State Secretary of Defense this Monday, marking the end of a tenure characterized by his transition from a decorated war hero to a political leader. Civil se...
74 municipal reports on demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed a total of 74 permit applications last week concerning demolition projects and tree felling. These reports provide details on various upcoming changes and develop...
Who will you vote for in the municipal elections? Fill in your local voting aid here
Citizens in the Netherlands can now use the StemWijzer voting aid to prepare for the upcoming municipal elections on March 18. The tool helps voters determine which political party best aligns with th...
Box 3 tax continues to spark anger, now landlords bear the brunt: ‘It remains a monstrosity’
Real estate investors in the Netherlands are taking legal action against the government over the Box 3 asset tax system, following previous successful challenges by savers in the Supreme Court. The in...
Vote at the Stopera: heated debate over safety at Stek Oost
The Amsterdam City Council is holding a final debate before the upcoming election recess to address safety concerns at the Stek Oost housing complex following several violent and sexual incidents. Cou...
Aldermen to explain Stek Oost today after new information surfaces
Amsterdam Aldermen Pels and Groot Wassink are facing a formal interpellation debate today regarding safety failures and alleged misinformation surrounding the Stek Oost mixed housing complex. The inqu...