Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Amsterdam bans fatbikes in Vondelpark from May 11
Amsterdam will ban fatbikes in the Vondelpark starting May 11, marking the city's first such restricted area. After a two-week grace period to allow riders to adjust, the municipality will begin enfor...
Former BBB member Van Gasteren to continue independently in the Senate
Robert van Gasteren will retain his seat in the Dutch Senate as an independent member after leaving the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) party. BBB faction leader Ilona Lagas confirmed the move on Wednesday, ...
No more cutting off, wheelies, and close passes: Amsterdam's Vondelpark to ban fatbikes
Amsterdam's Vondelpark will become the city's first area to implement a total ban on fatbikes starting May 11. The measure aims to address dangerous riding behaviors such as wheelies and close passing...
Zelensky discusses ceasefire plans with US and Rutte
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed plans for an Easter ceasefire with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, following Russia's rejection of the proposal. NATO Secretary General Ma...
My Undesirable Friends: documentary on the last remnants of (press) freedom in Russia is infuriating
Fatbikes banned in Vondelpark from May 11
Starting May 11, fatbikes with tires wider than seven centimeters will be prohibited from entering Amsterdam's Vondelpark to improve safety and reduce nuisance. Following an initial two-week warning p...
OPZ, Jong Zandvoort and VVD to explore coalition possibilities in Zandvoort; possible room for fourth party
The political parties OPZ, Jong Zandvoort, and VVD have agreed to explore the possibility of forming a coalition in Zandvoort. The announcement was made by OPZ leader Patrick Berg during the first mee...
KRO-NCRV, Omroep MAX and WNL to collaborate in new broadcasting house
Broadcasters KRO-NCRV, Omroep MAX, and WNL have announced plans to collaborate and share a new broadcasting house. While discussions are ongoing and the facility's name is yet to be determined, the or...
Cuba on the brink of collapse as US cuts it off from the rest of the world
Cuba's economy is on the brink of collapse and faces a potential humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing United States blockade. The communist government in Havana is losing its grip as it can no longe...
Minister expands asylum policy for Eritrean conscripts
Dutch Minister of Asylum Bart van den Brink has expanded the asylum policy for Eritreans facing mandatory national service in the Netherlands. The new policy removes the requirement for those facing c...
Cabinet accommodates startups in new Box 3 system after fierce criticism
The Dutch cabinet is planning to introduce tax benefits for startups and scale-ups following criticism of the new box 3 tax system. The proposal includes redefining early-stage companies and easing ta...
Heemstede errs in granting monument status to former post office
The Dutch Council of State ruled that the municipality of Heemstede was careless in its 2022 decision to grant monument status to a former post office on Binnenweg. The municipality has been ordered t...
Potentially heaviest Iranian missile attacks on Israel since February
Israeli media and the IDF reported that Iran launched its heaviest missile attacks against Israel on Wednesday since late February. These strikes represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conf...
Foreign ministers of 'Hormuz coalition' meet for the first time
Foreign ministers from a 35-nation coalition are holding their first video meeting to discuss strategies for ending the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Dutch Minister Tom Berendsen and his i...
Mega data centers near Haarlemmermeer villages to be operational in three years
Plans for four large data centers in Haarlemmermeer are moving forward, with the facilities in Rozenburg and Schiphol-Rijk expected to be operational within three years. The projects have sparked loca...
Vice President Vance speaks with mediators about Iran
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has engaged in discussions with mediators concerning a potential ceasefire in the conflict involving Iran. Sources suggest that President Donald Trump is open to ending ho...
Netherlands' largest pension fund exits tech firm doing business with ICE
The Netherlands' largest pension fund, ABP, has announced its decision to divest from the American technology firm Palantir. The move follows concerns regarding Palantir's contracts with the U.S. Immi...
Remko Trompetter (Actiepartij) wins Golden Pat on the Back for best council committee member in Haarlem. 'Know what you're talking about'
Remko Trompetter of the Actiepartij received the Gouden Schouderklop Award for the best-performing council committee member during the farewell of the Haarlem city council. The award recognizes Trompe...
Four men sentenced for threatening Venlo mayor and COA
Four men from Baarlo and Venlo have received fines and community service for threatening the mayor of Venlo and the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) on social media. The incide...
Trump's remarks on ending the war have immediate impact: oil and gas prices fall, stocks surge
Donald Trump's prediction that the war against Iran could end within two to three weeks has triggered a significant reaction in global markets. Following his statements, international oil and gas pric...
New council debates: Big Left Energy sounds cute, but what about metro 53?
Following local elections, Amsterdam's city council debated the start of coalition negotiations between the PRO alliance and D66, while addressing a record-low voter turnout of 47.1 percent. Oppositio...
House in North closed due to illegal prostitution: "Constant stream of men"
Mayor Femke Halsema has ordered the three-month closure of a residence in Amsterdam-Noord that was being used for illegal prostitution. Neighbors reported constant nuisance, including noise and intimi...
Pro Amsterdam and D66 conspicuously reach out to opposition in first council debate
Parool articles on parking management abuses and the death of Lisa from Abcoude nominated for De Tegel journalism award
MPs Zalinyan and Kostić clash with ministry over steel slag: 'Who protects the children along polluted ditches?'
Dutch MPs Ani Zalinyan and Ines Kostić have challenged the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management regarding the safety of children near areas polluted by steel slag. State Secretary Bertram ...
IT providers unite against Big Tech to reduce Dutch dependence on US
Seven Dutch IT providers have formed an alliance to offer a local cloud alternative to American technology firms, aiming to reduce the Netherlands' dependency on US providers. By collaborating on larg...
Dutch korfballers playing for Suriname unconcerned by ‘passportgate’: ‘There is so much money in football, it wouldn’t happen here’
Dutch professional athletes representing countries like Suriname risk losing their Dutch citizenship in a controversy known as 'passportgate.' While the issue has caused significant concern in the foo...
France, Germany and Poland stoic after Trump threat
European nations including France, Germany, and Poland have reacted calmly to President Trump's threat of the United States potentially leaving NATO. Trump's comments were prompted by his dissatisfact...
CDA Heemstede again pushes for council-wide agreement, HBB less certain. ‘Expect opposition won’t be there just for show’
The CDA party in Heemstede has issued an open letter calling for a council-wide agreement involving all six local political parties to collaborate on municipal plans. This proposal comes as election w...
Royal honor and Uitgeest pin for Guus Krom; Mark Wouters and Bertus Berghuis honored in Heemskerk; Mariska El Ouni receives special brooch in Castricum
Guus Krom has retired from the Uitgeest municipal council after 28 years of service, receiving both a royal decoration and a municipal award. Other departing council members in the neighboring towns o...