Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
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 ...
D66 senators want new bill for stricter asylum policy
Senators from the D66 and CDA parties in the Dutch Senate have called for a new legislative proposal to incorporate national adjustments to the European migration pact into Dutch law. This request fol...
Court: Van Zanen not allowed to limit PvdD protest to 10 people
The Hague court has ruled that Mayor Jan van Zanen was not permitted to restrict a 2024 demonstration by the Party for the Animals to only ten participants. The court determined that the mayor's decis...
About seventy protesters try to block asylum laws
Approximately 70 protesters gathered outside the Dutch Senate in The Hague to demonstrate against proposed asylum laws. The group urged senators to vote against the legislation, arguing that it lacks ...
German minister: suspending Israel association agreement inappropriate
German politician Johann Wadephul stated during an EU meeting in Luxembourg that suspending the association agreement with Israel would be inappropriate. He emphasized that while critical issues such ...
Asylum emergency measures law also rejected after CDA and SGP vote against
The Dutch Senate has rejected the Asylum Emergency Measures Law after political parties including the CDA and SGP voted against it. The bill failed to reach a majority following a previous rejection r...
Amendment to asylum emergency measures law rejected after OPNL vote
The Dutch Senate has rejected an amendment to the asylum emergency measures law after Auke van der Goot of the OPNL party cast the deciding vote against it. The proposal failed with 37 votes in favor ...
Dutch Senate rejects strict asylum law
The Dutch Senate has rejected a proposed emergency asylum law, preventing new restrictions on family reunification and the introduction of temporary three-year residence permits. The decision follows ...
Employers reject mandatory work-from-home day: 'A difficult puzzle'
The European Union is considering a proposal to mandate at least one day of remote work per week for employees in member states to mitigate the energy crisis. Dutch employers have voiced opposition to...
EU foreign ministers hope for fresh start after Orbán departure
EU foreign ministers, including Dutch minister Tom Berendsen, expressed optimism for improved European cooperation following the election defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Berendsen cr...
Kallas hopes for positive decision on EU loan to Ukraine on Wednesday
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expects a positive decision this Wednesday regarding a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine. Speaking in Luxembourg, Kallas emphasized that Ukraine urgently needs the f...
Arnold Karskens’ dismissal at ON! stands, but he receives 100,000 euros
The court in The Hague has upheld the dismissal of Arnold Karskens from the broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland. While the dismissal remains in place, the founder and former chairman was awarded 100,000 e...
Nathan Bell’s blues about the flip side of the American Dream. ‘Optimism as a survival mechanism’
American folk and blues musician Nathan Bell is returning to Haarlem this Wednesday to perform music from his new album, "Demokracy Blues." The record features raw blues sounds and confrontational lyr...
Berendsen: Pressure on Israel must be increased
Dutch Minister Tom Berendsen advocated for increased EU pressure on Israel during a foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, aiming to influence the country's behavior. Following a request from the D...
PvdD The Hague 'blindsided' by news of being 'sidelined'
The Party for the Animals (PvdD) in The Hague expressed surprise following reports that it has been sidelined and removed from the city's minority coalition. Councilor Diego Demaree reacted to the new...
Spanish minister: EU must take measures against Israel
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno urged the European Union to take measures against Israel, including the suspension of their association agreement, to maintain EU credibility. He ma...
EU court: Hungary violates EU rules with law on LGBTQ+ content
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Hungary's law restricting access to LGBTQ+ content violates EU treaties by stigmatizing and marginalizing individuals. The ruling follows a legal challenge...
Senior official: PM's office pressured Mandelson vetting
Former top civil servant Olly Robbins told the British parliament that Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office pressured officials to expedite the screening process for Peter Mandelson. Robbins, who was ...
Local resident voluntarily goes to prison in new season of Hell or Hotel
Wybren van Haga from Haarlem will voluntarily spend time in prison alongside London Loy for the new season of the television show 'Hel of hotel.' The program follows their experiences as they choose t...
Iran threatens direct response to new US hostilities
Iranian commander Ali Abdollahi has warned that the country's armed forces will respond immediately to any renewed hostilities from adversaries. The statement comes as a ceasefire agreement with the U...
UK relaxes solar panel and EV charger rules due to Iran war
The British government is introducing a plan to simplify the installation of solar panels and charging stations to stimulate renewable energy production. This initiative aims to reduce the country's d...
Trump: Iran truce to last until Wednesday evening
US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran is set to expire on Wednesday evening, which is later than previously expected. Trump also stated that it is unlikely the truce will be...
'Affordable' homes are out of reach for low-income earners
New owner-occupied homes classified as affordable by the government are often only accessible to individuals with high incomes. Consequently, low-income house hunters remain dependent on the rental ma...
Student union to municipalities: relax room rental rules
The National Student Union (LSVb) is calling on Dutch municipalities to relax room-sharing regulations to address the ongoing student housing shortage. A study of fifteen cities, including Amsterdam, ...
Horror in Russia under the rule of 'tsar' Vladimir Putin
The article examines Vladimir Putin's rise from a KGB spy to a dictator and the subsequent regime of oppression in Russia. It highlights the transformation of the country under his rule, referencing l...
D-day for asylum laws: Can the cabinet still secure a majority?
The Dutch cabinet faces a crucial Senate vote on asylum legislation today, with the outcome currently uncertain. VVD and CDA are seeking support from D66 to secure a majority, as the decision may hing...
Five Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza
At least five Palestinians were killed following Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Monday, according to reports from Palestinian authorities. The strikes represent the latest fatalities in the o...
Red Cross sees more people struggling with energy costs
The Dutch Red Cross warns that an increasing number of people are facing financial hardship due to rising energy and fuel costs. Despite government measures, the organization reports that many individ...
Japan lifts post-war restrictions on arms exports
Japan has announced the removal of decades-old restrictions on weapon exports, allowing for the sale of military equipment to friendly nations. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi introduced the policy chan...
Lawyer tears apart police investigation into Hoofddorp death penalty tweet: 'Series of procedural errors'
A 60-year-old man from Hoofddorp is accused of inciting violence against public authorities through a tweet. His lawyer has criticized the police investigation, citing a series of procedural errors in...