Politics News in English

COA fails to vacate Epe asylum hotel and must pay penalties

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has failed to relocate residents from an emergency shelter in Epe, resulting in mandatory penalty payments to the municipality starting Wed...

Call to suspend monthly European Parliament relocation: 'Unnecessary'

Members of the European Parliament from various political groups are calling for a temporary suspension of the monthly commute between Brussels and Strasbourg. Currently, the 720 MEPs and their staff ...

Bikker wants state to pay for security of Jewish institutions

ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker is calling on the Dutch government to take over the funding for the security of Jewish institutions and buildings. She argues that providing safety is a core responsi...

Electric driving for 150 euros a month? ‘I think many people would be happy with that’

The European Union is exploring a plan based on a French model to offer low-income citizens electric vehicle leases for approximately 150 euros per month. While the Netherlands has not yet adopted thi...

European Court allows ‘cheat cigarettes’ to stay, ‘bizarre reasoning’

The European Court of Justice has ruled that current cigarette emission measurement methods can remain in place, effectively allowing so-called "cheat cigarettes" to stay on the market. This decision ...

The Black Archives has a new spot in the Suriname Museum

The Black Archives has moved to its new permanent location at the Suriname Museum in Amsterdam-Oost, housing thousands of items documenting Black history and heritage. The facility, which transitions ...

Parliament demands self-employed benefits victims not be fined after all

A majority of the Dutch House of Representatives is demanding that the cabinet honor its promise to freelancers who assisted with the childcare benefits scandal recovery. The intervention aims to prev...

Faber's strict law scrapped, but tough asylum policy implemented via backdoor

Despite the Dutch Senate's rejection of the emergency asylum law, the government plans to implement most of Minister Marjolein Faber's strict asylum measures through standard legislation before the su...

Mexican President: Stricter controls after Teotihuacán shooting

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called for stricter gun control and increased security at tourist destinations following a shooting at the Teotihuacán pyramid complex. The incident occurred n...

Price of beer and spirits to rise every year to fund crisis plan

Alcohol excise taxes in the Netherlands will now increase annually in line with inflation to help fund the National Crisis Plan for Oil. This measure means that the cost of beer and other alcoholic be...

Zelensky reports Druzhba pipeline has been repaired

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Eastern Europe, has been repaired. The pipeline is now ready to resume operations following ...

Pakistan calls for extension of truce between Iran and US

Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has urged Iran and the United States to extend their current ceasefire. Pakistan is acting as a mediator between the two nations, with the U.S. seeking a ...

Poultry housing order lifted, except in Gelderse Vallei

State Secretary Silvio Erkens has lifted the poultry confinement obligation for hobbyists and commercial farms across most of the Netherlands. The mandate remains in effect only for the Gelderse Valle...

Prices of used petrol and diesel cars fall gradually as demand for used electric vehicles skyrockets since start of war

The Dutch government has implemented an oil plan due to rising Middle East tensions and sustained high fuel prices. Consequently, the demand for used electric vehicles is surging while the prices for ...

Still no residential care location found in Southeast for vulnerable Amsterdammers

Paternotte: Jetten stayed on top of asylum laws as prime minister

D66 parliamentary leader Jan Paternotte defended Rob Jetten’s performance regarding asylum legislation, stating that Jetten worked diligently in his role as Prime Minister. These comments were made ...

Relief and concern in Amsterdam after asylum laws rejected: ‘Feels like a breather but the unease remains’

Wilders takes no responsibility for rejected asylum law

Geert Wilders has refused to take responsibility for the rejection of the asylum emergency measures law in the Dutch Senate. The bill's failure followed a shift in the PVV's position on a legislative ...

Trump will not extend Iran truce, urges deal

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will not extend the current truce with Iran, according to reports from CNBC. Instead, Trump aims to negotiate a new deal with the country in an effort to ...

Senate rejects former PVV minister Faber’s stricter asylum law and votes for another

The Dutch Senate has rejected a proposed law by former Minister Marjolein Faber that would have criminalized illegal residency in the Netherlands. However, the chamber successfully passed a two-status...

Rijnland Water Board to invest more in clean water: ‘Europe mandates it, fortunately, because we need clean water’

The Rijnland Water Board is increasing its investment to improve surface water quality, driven by European regulations. Despite these additional funds, the board acknowledges that the water will still...

State Secretary for Education and Emancipation Judith Tielen visits Dalí College Heemskerk

State Secretary Judith Tielen visited Dalí College in Heemskerk to observe the impact of practical education on students' interest in technical careers. The visit highlights a government effort...

Brekelmans: D66 sought reasons to vote against asylum laws

VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans expressed astonishment at D66's decision to vote against strict asylum laws in the Senate. He accused the party of intentionally seeking out reasons to oppose...

Former PVV member Markuszower accuses PVV of political theater

Former PVV parliamentarian Gidi Markuszower has criticized his former party, calling their actions "political theater" after the party's voting behavior in the Senate led to the failure of Minister Ma...

Dutch Safety Board: Mental health care can already be improved

The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) reports that individuals with severe mental illnesses often do not receive the care they need, despite the existing system having the capacity for improvement. The investi...

Rents to increase as of July 1

Starting July 1, 2026, many tenants will face an increase in their monthly rental prices. This change is expected to affect a significant portion of the rental market.

PVV blames D66 for asylum law collapse after own policy U-turn

The PVV has blamed D66 for the failure of the emergency asylum measures law in the Dutch Senate on Tuesday. The legislation fell through after an amendment to decriminalize aid to undocumented immigra...

Red Cross relieved that illegality will not be criminalized

The Dutch Red Cross expressed relief after the Senate voted against a law that would have criminalized individuals staying in the country without valid residence papers. The organization stated that t...

Refugee Council calls rejection of criminalization a 'glimmer of hope'

The Dutch Senate has rejected a proposal to criminalize individuals residing in the country without valid residence papers. VluchtelingenWerk Nederland welcomed the decision, stating it prevents direc...

Van den Brink: Rejecting asylum laws a missed opportunity

Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink expressed disappointment after the Dutch Senate rejected a series of emergency asylum measures proposed by his predecessor. He now plans to pursue alternative legal ...