Politics News in English

Corona hearing with policy critics: ‘I felt like hunted game’

The Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic heard from two policy critics on its ninth day of hearings. These witnesses, who were not involved in official decision-making, shared their ...

Watch the COVID inquiry: Critical GP Elens and Red Team member Baidjoe testify

On the ninth day of the parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, field epidemiologist Amrish Baidjoe and GP Rob Elens are testifying as witnesses who were not involved in the official decisio...

Dam Square closed and gun salutes at Navy Yard for Japanese Emperor's state visit to Amsterdam

Text of provisional US-Iran peace agreement leaked

The draft text of a preliminary peace agreement between the United States and Iran has reportedly been leaked. Bloomberg reports that it has obtained the fourteen-point plan outlining the proposed ter...

15 million extra for electric tractor and machinery subsidies

Dutch Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen has allocated an additional 15 million euros to fund subsidies for electric tractors and agricultural machinery. This increased budget aims to allow more far...

Debate at De Pletterij about Werf Conrad, the gift Haarlem refuses to unwrap?

A debate will be held on June 23 at the Pletterij regarding the preservation of Werf Conrad in Haarlem. Participants will discuss whether the municipality is overlooking the site's significant cultura...

G7 leaders agree to increase pressure on Russian economy

G7 leaders have issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for Ukraine and its territorial integrity. They agreed to further increase economic pressure on Russia's war economy to address the o...

Cabinet gives itself four years to reduce dependence on the US

The Dutch cabinet has introduced a new international security strategy aiming to reduce its military dependence on the United States over the next four years. Working with European allies, Foreign Aff...

Snack-bar-free neighborhood in Haarlem-East potentially off the table: ‘It is really very difficult’

The Haarlem city government may abandon plans for a snack bar-free zone in the new Hart voor Oostpoort neighborhood due to implementation difficulties. Outgoing councilor Floor Roduner indicated that ...

Silent protest by war victims during Japanese Emperor’s wreath-laying at Dam Square: ‘He knows we are here’

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako began their state visit to the Netherlands with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam. During the event, victims and...

Young farmers warn minister: ‘People are fed up with the flip-flopping in The Hague’

Merel Straathof, representing young farmers, warned the Dutch government that leaked nitrogen plans lack a clear future perspective for the sector. She specifically criticized proposed buffer zones ex...

So many accidents occur at this intersection that the municipality is now intervening

The municipality of Amsterdam has designated the intersection of Kamperfoelieweg, Banne Buikslootlaan, and Schepenlaan as a traffic 'blackspot' following four serious accidents since early 2025. Autho...

Hillegom quickly assesses situation at De Giraf emergency shelter

The municipality of Hillegom will conduct a school inspection at the temporary location of primary school De Giraf to identify any potential problems. This assessment aims to map out the situation qui...

Battle over Spaarnwoude funding reignites: Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer take on Amsterdam and Velsen

The municipality of Haarlem is raising concerns over a funding shortage for the Spaarnwoude recreation area, specifically for the years 2028 and 2029. While Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer are pushing for ...

Eight rat nests under living room floor: Pests plague Haarlem neighborhood

Residents in Haarlem's Kleverpark neighborhood are facing a severe rat infestation, with some discovering nests under their floors and experiencing house subsidence due to sewer issues. A dispute has ...

Another swastika spray-painted in Wijk aan Zee: Five questions about vandalism in public space

A swastika was spray-painted on a viaduct in Wijk aan Zee, marking the second such incident in the area within six months. The municipality of Beverwijk is addressing concerns regarding this repeated ...

The decline of Spaarnwoude is visible throughout the park, from Nazi graffiti to potholes

The municipality of Haarlem has raised concerns over the physical decline of the Spaarnwoude recreation area, citing a long-term lack of funding. Visible signs of neglect in the park include deteriora...

Big business lawyer and idealistic social democrat: this is the new Finance alderman Hendrik Jan Biemond

Prosecutions for plotting attack during White House cage fight

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged five individuals for allegedly plotting an attack using explosives and snipers during a cage fight held on the White House lawn. The suspects aimed to target...

Nearly 100,000 requests for refugee solidarity ribbons

The UNHCR reports that nearly 100,000 people in the Netherlands applied for free blue solidarity ribbons to support refugees, exhausting the available supply. The high demand highlights a significant ...

Company behind DigiD appeals takeover ban

Solvinity, the company responsible for the DigiD authentication system, is appealing a government decision to block its acquisition by the American firm Kyndryl. State Secretary Willemijn Aerdts prohi...

Iranian President on deal: We must not let this opportunity pass

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has hailed a preliminary agreement with the United States as a diplomatic victory that could improve the country's current situation. He urged his nation not to let...

Demonstration in Vriezenveen proceeds peacefully

A demonstration against the arrival of asylum seekers in Vriezenveen, Overijssel, proceeded peacefully on Tuesday evening. Approximately 100 people gathered in front of the town hall and dispersed wit...

Dutch World Cup matches to be shown in Haarlem pubs even after group stage

Mayor Jos Wienen has announced that Haarlem cafes will be allowed to broadcast the Dutch national team's World Cup matches, including those scheduled on non-regular nightlife evenings if the team adva...

Media: Zelensky showed Trump photos of damaged monastery

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed U.S. President Donald Trump photos of damage to the historic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery during their meeting at the G7 summit. The exchange, reported b...

Study: Socioeconomically disadvantaged receive harsher sentences

A study by the Research and Data Center (WODC) has found that socio-economically disadvantaged suspects in the Netherlands receive harsher sentences on average than those who are more affluent. This r...

Deputy Mayor Lahlah installs child mayor

Deputy Mayor Esmah Lahlah has installed eight-year-old Ava as Amsterdam's new child mayor alongside a newly formed children's council. The council is tasked with advising the city government on variou...

Deputy Mayor Lahlah installs child mayor

Deputy Mayor Esmah Lahlah has officially installed Amsterdam's new children's council and 8-year-old Ava as the new children's mayor. The council will advise the city government on various issues, wit...

Jetten: Parliament's wish aligns with talks with Moluccan community

The Dutch House of Representatives has called on the cabinet to make a fitting gesture toward the Moluccan community in the Netherlands. Prime Minister Rob Jetten responded that the government takes t...

Israel ends Palestinian authority over Cave of the Patriarchs

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has transferred the administration of the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron from the Palestinian Authority and the local municipality to an Israeli body. The s...