Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
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...
North Holland investigates regional heating company and fund
The province of Noord-Holland is exploring the creation of a regional heating company and a dedicated fund to support the development of heating networks. The initiative aims to address the shortage o...
Trump claims Iranian leader asked for ceasefire
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that the Iranian president contacted the United States to request a ceasefire. Trump characterized the current Iranian leader as being more intellig...
VVD candidate Monique de Koning-de Rijk declines council seat after being elected via preference votes
VVD candidate Monique de Koning-de Rijk has declined her seat in the Velsen municipal council despite being elected through preference votes. Although she rose from an unelectable seventh place to fou...
Cheers to the death penalty!
The text reflects on the tradition of opening champagne bottles during festive occasions like weddings and anniversaries. These moments are characterized as milestones where life is celebrated.
Minister Berendsen: US has every reason to stay in NATO
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen stated that the United States has every reason to remain in NATO despite President Donald Trump's threats to leave the alliance. Berendsen suggested that the threa...
Russian military claims capture of entire Luhansk region
The Russian army claims to have fully captured the Luhansk province in eastern Ukraine, a statement that Ukraine has not yet confirmed. While Russia asserts the region's liberation is complete, Ukrain...
Brussels proposes first relaxation of key climate measure
The European Commission has announced a proposal to relax the Emissions Trading System (ETS), which serves as the European Union's primary mechanism for regulating corporate CO2 emissions. This develo...
Information sessions on IJ tunnel closure: live and online
The IJ-tunnel in Amsterdam will be closed for major maintenance from July 1, 2027, until November 2028. Information sessions are being organized, both in-person and online, to inform the public about ...
EU loan for Ukraine primarily intended for drone purchases
The European Commission has proposed a 45 billion euro disbursement to Ukraine, which represents half of a larger loan package currently being blocked by Hungary. Commission President Ursula von der L...
Russia expels Dutch journalist
Russia has announced the expulsion of a Dutch journalist by revoking their accreditation. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated the move is a retaliatory measure following the Netherland...
Relatives of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre want to speak with King Charles
Relatives of Virginia Giuffre, a victim of the late Jeffrey Epstein, have requested a meeting with King Charles during his upcoming state visit to the United States. The British monarch and Queen Cami...
Amsterdam turns orange for the new Queen of the Netherlands
On September 5, 1898, the city of Amsterdam celebrated the arrival of the 18-year-old future Queen Wilhelmina. The historic event, which saw the city decorated in orange, was captured in a painting by...
'Ministry was wrong, banning steel slag is allowed.' Health at 1 and Urgenda offer municipalities a helping hand
Environmental and health organizations Gezondheid op 1 and Urgenda have issued a guide to Dutch municipalities challenging the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management's stance on steel slag. T...
Stricter holiday rental rules from today: what changes in the city center and De Pijp
Amsterdam has halved the maximum number of nights allowed for vacation rentals in the city center and De Pijp neighborhood from 30 to 15 per year. Effective immediately, the measure aims to reduce tou...
British PM seeks to further strengthen ties with EU
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to further strengthen ties with the European Union through a cooperation summit scheduled for later this year. The initiative focuses on enhanci...
The Hague tunnel to remain closed for months, city fines builder Strukton
The Hubertustunnel in The Hague will remain closed for an additional two months because contractor Strukton failed to complete construction work on time. Consequently, the municipality of The Hague is...
CDA also critical of quick reversal of UNRWA funding cuts
The Dutch coalition party CDA has voiced criticism regarding Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma's plan to reverse budget cuts for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The minister intends to restore ...
GL-PvdA wants temporary off-peak travel for 9 euros per month
The GroenLinks-PvdA party has proposed a temporary "climate ticket" allowing off-peak travel across the Netherlands for nine euros per month between May and September. MP Habtamu de Hoop introduced th...
Terrorism investigation into explosive at Bank of America in Paris
French anti-terrorism prosecutors have launched an investigation into a suspected terrorist conspiracy following an attempted attack in Paris. An explosive device was discovered over the weekend at a ...
From voluntary departures to reluctant exits: Hillegom bids farewell to six council members
On Tuesday evening, the municipality of Hillegom held a farewell ceremony for six outgoing council members. The event featured speeches, flowers, and a special tribute poem written by the village poet...
Opposition outraged by D66 minister Sjoerdsma’s ‘incomprehensible’ deal and ‘ruse’
Dutch opposition parties have expressed anger over a plan by Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma to provide millions in aid to the Palestinian organization UNRWA. This move follows a previous agreement to cance...
Divorced Japanese parents can share child custody for the first time
Japan has introduced a new law allowing divorced parents to share joint custody of their children for the first time. Previously, Japan was one of the few countries where custody was exclusively grant...
Trump ‘seriously considering’ leaving NATO
U.S. President Donald Trump told The Telegraph that he is strongly considering withdrawing the United States from NATO. He cited a lack of support from other member nations regarding the conflict with...
71 municipal notices regarding demolition and hospitality in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 71 permit applications last week, with 70 of them specifically related to projects within the city. These reports include updates on demolition and hospitality de...
Atmosphere at the Stopera: new council installed, debate on scout's report
The new city council of Amsterdam is being installed today at the Stopera, where members will be sworn in for a four-year term. Following the ceremony, a debate will take place regarding a proposal fo...
Beverwijk bids farewell to fifteen council members, royal decorations for Bayram Gezer and Co den Hartog
Fifteen council members in Beverwijk are stepping down to make room for new representatives for the upcoming four-year term. Long-time veterans Bayram Gezer and Co den Hartog were recognized with roya...
Utrecht province fines bus operators for public transport problems
The province of Utrecht is fining bus operators Transdev and Keolis for persistent service issues, including high cancellation rates and a shortage of vehicles. Transdev faces a penalty of at least 1....
Public administration professor on informateur Don Bijl's resignation in Beverwijk: ‘This is very childish’
The information phase of government formation in Beverwijk collapsed after informateur Don Bijl resigned following a dispute with the local Forum for Democracy (FvD) faction over the number of meeting...