Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Referendum on Amsterdam boycott of Israel not possible, commission rules
An advisory commission has ruled that a proposed referendum for an Amsterdam boycott of Israel is inadmissible because foreign policy lies outside the city council's legal powers. While the citizen in...
UN chief warns of broader war with far-reaching consequences
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned in New York that the world is on the brink of a broader war with far-reaching global consequences. He urged for an end to the "spiral of death and destruc...
GroenLinks/PvdA makes decision in Beverwijk: PRO is the new name here too
The Beverwijk branch of the GroenLinks/PvdA party has officially changed its name to PRO, an abbreviation for Progressief. This decision follows a similar rebranding by the party's faction in The Hagu...
Telstar won't risk it with Malone alone; passport-gate also preoccupies Velsen
Dutch football club Telstar is managing the fallout of a "passport gate" controversy involving three of its Surinamese players. While no issues are expected for Devon Koswal and Rojendro Oudsten, Dion...
After Capelle tragedy: Parliament seeks to restrict filming of accidents and violence
The CDA and GroenLinks-PvdA parties have proposed a law to criminalize the filming and distribution of images of victims of accidents and violent crimes. The initiative follows public outrage over bys...
City pass holders get discount on energy-efficient refrigerators or washing machines
Amsterdam City Pass holders are now eligible for discounts on energy-efficient refrigerators and washing machines. The initiative aims to help low-income residents reduce their electricity bills by re...
Prominent Iranian human rights lawyer arrested
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent 62-year-old Iranian human rights lawyer and activist, has been arrested in Iran according to her daughter. Throughout her career, Sotoudeh has represented numerous high-pr...
Gorinchem residents to return to the polls on Wednesday April 29
Residents of Gorinchem will return to the polls on Wednesday, April 29, for a municipal election re-vote. The city council established this new date following allegations of voter fraud during the ori...
Iran: More than 7 million people sign up to defend country
More than 7 million Iranian citizens have registered as volunteers to defend their country against a potential U.S. invasion, according to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. This surge follo...
Islamic cemetery in Haarlem remains serious plan despite advanced negotiations in Haarlemmermeer. 'We don't want a regional role'
The municipality of Haarlem and the Islamic Council Haarlem have confirmed that plans for a local Islamic cemetery are still moving forward despite a similar project in neighboring Haarlemmermeer. Alt...
AVROTROS to cut jobs and downsize management due to budget cuts
Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS is cutting thirteen jobs and reducing its management board from three members to two. These measures follow budget cuts for public broadcasting announced by the previ...
Civil servant punished for fraud in Bentveld land sale
A municipal official has been convicted of forgery and fraud after manipulating a zoning plan to sell a property in Bentveld to his mother below market value. The court found the official guilty of ab...
Netherlands contacted US after threat to leave NATO
Prime Minister Rob Jetten confirmed that the Netherlands and NATO held discussions with the United States following Donald Trump's threats to withdraw from the alliance. The contact aimed to emphasize...
Paris tightens security after foiled attack
Security measures in Paris have been tightened following a foiled attack on a Bank of America office last week. Local authorities report suspected links between the incident and the pro-Iranian group ...
India, Somalia and Greece also join Hormuz coalition
India, Somalia, and Greece have joined a coalition of nations working to end the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar participated in the group's f...
Romanian minister: return of stolen objects unbelievable
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu described the recovery of stolen art objects from the Drents Museum as "incredible news." She emphasized that the recovery was crucial for Romania, even though insu...
Van den Brink: UNRWA handling should not be repeated
Deputy Prime Minister Bart van den Brink criticized Development Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma for his handling of the reversal of subsidy cuts to UNRWA. Van den Brink stated that the minister's actions in...
Enschede issues 6 fines in a week due to fatbike ban
Authorities in Enschede issued six fines to fatbike riders for violating a new ban in the city center during its first week of strict enforcement. The ban took effect on March 11, but officials provid...
Nearly a quarter million households struggling due to high fuel prices
Nearly 250,000 Dutch households are facing financial distress due to high fuel prices, according to a report by the TNO research institute. While calls for fuel excise tax cuts grow, experts warn thes...
Subsidy for sustainable sports clubs in Haarlem
Sports clubs in Haarlem can now access subsidies to make their buildings more energy-efficient, with the city covering the first ‑10,000 in costs and providing further funding up to ‑100,000. RFC ...
Apply for the Participation Prize 2026
The Haarlem Participation Council is inviting non-profit initiatives that promote community connection and social participation to apply for the 2026 Participation Prize. Two winners will each receive...
Karremans has no sympathy for trucker highway protests against high fuel prices
Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Vincent Karremans expressed his disapproval of truck drivers blocking highways during protests against high fuel prices on Thursday morning. The demonst...
Temporary ban on steel slag extended, but future remains uncertain
The Dutch government has extended the temporary ban on the use of steel slag for another six months. During a debate in the House of Representatives, it became clear that long-term regulations for thi...
Cabinet extends Evertsen mission in Mediterranean by one month
The Dutch government has extended the mission of the frigate Zr. Ms. Evertsen in the eastern Mediterranean until early May. The vessel was deployed to help protect NATO allies from threats related to ...
With more women than men in its ranks, the new Heemstede municipal council can officially get to work: ‘Immediately made national news’
The newly elected municipal council of Heemstede was officially installed on Wednesday evening, notable for having more female than male representatives. Mayor Falgun Binnendijk highlighted that the c...
Macron slams Trump's remarks about his marriage
French President Emmanuel Macron criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for making derogatory remarks about his marriage during a visit to South Korea. Macron described the comments, which allegedly i...
Majority of parties in Velsen refuse to govern with FVD: 'Remarks about "indigenous Velseners" living here for three generations did not help'
A majority of political parties in Velsen have ruled out forming a coalition with Forum voor Democratie (FVD) following a local debate on Wednesday. The parties cited a lack of trust and significant p...
Velsen unconcerned about finances after poor BDO rating; no additional cuts expected
The local government of Velsen remains unconcerned despite being ranked as one of the most financially unhealthy municipalities in the Netherlands by accounting firm BDO. The council stated in respons...
Haarlem-based hot school lunch provider TommyTomato declared bankrupt
Haarlem-based school lunch provider TommyTomato has been declared bankrupt following a sudden withdrawal of promised financing. The social enterprise serves warm meals to 30,000 children across hundre...
Stolen art treasures from Drents Museum recovered
Romanian art treasures stolen from the Drents Museum in Assen during a violent robbery last January have been recovered. The artifacts were returned following their disappearance over a year ago.