Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Westergracht was an 'open sewer' – Haarlem residents were glad it was filled in
The municipality of Haarlem is exploring the possibility of reopening several former canals, including the Westergracht near the Cathedral Basilica of St. Bavo. While the city investigates restoring t...
Pro-Russian leader reports death after ship sinks in Sea of Azov
A cargo ship carrying grain sank in the Sea of Azov, resulting in at least one confirmed death and two missing persons. The incident was reported by the pro-Russian governor of the occupied Kherson re...
Pope calls on world leaders to choose peace in Easter message
Pope Leo XIV urged world leaders to "choose peace" during his first Easter message delivered at St. Peter's Square. Addressing a large crowd, he spoke about the numerous global conflicts without namin...
After exploration, Aboutaleb to also lead coalition formation in The Hague
Former Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb has officially accepted the task of leading the coalition formation in The Hague. Following his role as an explorer, he announced his decision on the television ...
Former State Secretary Fred Teeven to serve as informateur in Zandvoort
Former State Secretary Fred Teeven has been appointed as an informateur in Zandvoort starting in mid-April. He will investigate the feasibility of a coalition between the OPZ, Jong Zandvoort, and VVD ...
China confirms execution of Frenchman for drug smuggling
China has confirmed the execution of a French national for drug smuggling. The Chinese embassy in France defended the action, stating that combating drug crime is a collective international responsibi...
Johan Rip (1959-2026): the social politician with his feet in the polder clay
Johan Rip, a dedicated politician from Haarlemmermeer known for his strong sense of justice and social compassion, has passed away at the age of 66. He was recognized for his deep commitment to the co...
Lebanese president calls for negotiations with Israel
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has renewed calls for negotiations with Israel to end the ongoing conflict. This appeal comes as Israel continues to conduct major airstrikes and a ground offensive in s...
Neighborhood resists data centers: We knew nothing
Residents near Schiphol-Rijk are protesting the planned construction of three large data centers, citing a lack of communication from local authorities and concerns over noise and property values. Alt...
Zandvoort says it is doing enough for emergency shelter: Other municipalities must now step up
Zandvoort Alderman Gert-Jan Bluijs has declared that the municipality has fulfilled its refugee housing obligations and lacks space for additional emergency shelters, despite urgent calls from the Kin...
Iran: US plane shot down during rescue operation
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claims to have shot down a U.S. aircraft involved in a rescue operation for a crew member of a downed F-15. The report was issued by the Tasnim news agency on Sunday.
US rescues crew member of downed F-15
The United States has rescued a crew member whose F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday. President Donald Trump confirmed the rescue and stated that while the crew member was injured, the...
Iranian media: airstrikes in area of missing crew member
Iranian media reports that the US and Israel have conducted airstrikes in an area where a missing F-15 crew member is believed to be located. According to the Tasnim news agency, a local governor stat...
Dutch tourists avoid Asia and choose Spain due to Middle East war
Dutch vacationers are continuing to book summer holidays despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Travel agencies report a shift in destination preferences, with many travelers opting for Spai...
Live | US commandos rescue missing F-15 crew member in Iran
Pro-Iran movement releases video of Nijkerk explosion
The pro-Iranian group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) has released a video concerning a recent explosion in Nijkerk. According to the SITE Intelligence Group, it is currently unclear if the ...
Israel: Hit Iranian chemical complex used for weapon production
The Israeli military reported that an industrial complex targeted by its air force on Saturday in southwestern Iran was used for the production of chemicals for the weapons industry. The strike aimed ...
Iranian attacks on government buildings in Kuwait
A fire broke out in Kuwait City following a drone attack on a complex housing the Ministry of Oil and the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The incident is part of reported Iranian strikes tar...
Lebanon: seven dead in Israeli attack
Israeli attacks on South Lebanon on Saturday resulted in seven deaths and over forty injuries, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Israel also reported that one of its soldiers was killed du...
Trump: Iranian military leaders killed in attack on Tehran
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that several Iranian military leaders were killed during a major attack on the capital city of Tehran. Trump shared a video depicting the strike, although the exact...
Iran threatens to turn entire region into hell in case of escalation
Iran has threatened to turn the entire region into a 'hell' if Israel and the United States continue to escalate regional tensions. This warning follows a previous statement by U.S. President Donald T...
Judge recuses himself from VU unlawful detention case because he is also a lecturer
A Dutch court rejected a judge's request to withdraw from a case involving two pro-Palestinian protesters accused of detaining a board member at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The judge, who is als...
No plan B if Senate rejects asylum law
The Dutch government faces a critical situation as the Senate considers a new asylum law amid a severe shortage of housing for thousands of refugees. With emergency shelters overflowing, ministers wor...
Iran allows Iraqi ships through Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian high command has announced that ships traveling to or from Iraq are exempt from restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. This decision allows Iraqi vessels to pass through the waterway withou...
Thousands attend support rally for Saint-Denis mayor
Thousands of people gathered in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis to support newly elected Mayor Bally Bagayoko after he received racist messages following his victory. Bagayoko called for the protest t...
This monstrosity of a law on freelancers was made by people who don't have a clue
Journalist Lisanne van Sadelhoff critiques Dutch legislative efforts aimed at regulating and protecting freelancers, arguing that the proposed laws are poorly designed. She suggests that the policymak...
Many mothers struggle to make ends meet during leave: ‘Extra recovery time is often needed’
A study by the CNV trade union reveals that nearly half of working women and 30% of partners in the Netherlands cannot afford to take parental leave due to financial constraints. Experts warn this sit...
Uproar in IJmuiden housing complex as seniors fear end of happy hour, but concern proves unfounded
Seniors at the Mercurius residential complex in IJmuiden sent an urgent letter to the city council fearing their regular 'Happy Hour' would be cancelled due to fire safety concerns. The issue was ulti...
Pro-Palestinian protester arrested after snatching Israeli flag
Police in Amsterdam arrested a pro-Palestinian protester at Dam Square for snatching and breaking the flagpole of an Israeli flag from a counter-protester. The woman is being held for questioning on c...
Jetten rejects scattergun approach to high energy prices: what is the plan?
Climate Minister Rob Jetten and the Dutch cabinet are opting for targeted interventions rather than broad measures to combat rising energy prices. The government's deliberative approach to the crisis ...