Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Report: old transgender law led to deep human suffering
A historical study commissioned by the Dutch government reveals that the country's former transgender law caused profound human suffering by forcing individuals to undergo irreversible sterilization a...
Duivendrecht cycle routes do not feel much safer yet: "A year has already passed"
Nearly a year after launching an action plan to improve cyclist safety between Amsterdam and Duivendrecht, local residents report that many safety concerns, such as inadequate lighting and vegetation,...
Defense wants to be on TikTok, but its own ban is holding the armed forces back
The Dutch Ministry of Defence wants to use TikTok for recruitment and to combat misinformation, but remains restricted by a 2023 government ban over espionage concerns. Officials are currently evaluat...
Russia threatens with nuclear weapons and there is a reason for it, says this Lithuanian minister
Lithuanian minister Kęstutis Budrys argues that Baltic nations effectively manage Russian threats through a combination of deterrence and resilience. He suggests that Russia only retreats when forced...
Mayor Halsema: Seen with great horror how Hamas was supported
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema condemned pro-Palestinian protesters for displaying banners supporting Hamas and the October 7 attacks at a demonstration on the Dam. Authorities were unable to intervene...
Pro-Palestinian demonstration at Amsterdam City Hall disbanded
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through Amsterdam on Wednesday to protest against Israel on the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks. The march was eventually disbanded by authoritie...
Police draw batons to hold back pro-Palestinian protesters
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central Amsterdam on Tuesday evening, leading to a tense standoff with police at Waterlooplein. Officers drew their batons to prevent the group from proce...
Pro-Palestinian protests in Amsterdam
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered on Dam Square in Amsterdam to mark the third anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel. The event, which saw roughly 150 participants march toward the Stoper...
Concerns in Haarlemmermeer as emergency care moves to Haarlem
The Spaarne Gasthuis will move its emergency and inpatient services from Hoofddorp to a new location in Haarlem by 2033 to better manage staffing shortages. Local officials in Haarlemmermeer are criti...
NAM pays out large sums to Shell and ExxonMobil shareholders despite agreements
The NAM has distributed 1.43 billion euros to shareholders Shell and ExxonMobil, causing its solvency to fall below the 25 percent threshold agreed upon with the government. This financial buffer is e...
Alcohol-monitoring anklet to be introduced for alcohol-fueled violence and DUI offenders
The Dutch parliament is moving to introduce mandatory alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelets for offenders convicted of alcohol-fueled violence or severe traffic offenses. The device will monitor alcohol ...
DENK MP Ergin files complaint against Johan Derksen over 'throat-slitting' remark
Denk MP Doğukan Ergin has filed a police report against Johan Derksen after the television presenter suggested on-air that Ergin should have his throat slit. The comment followed Ergin's parliamentar...
Try explaining to someone now that being a prison guard isn't dangerous
Municipality blunders with parking revenue: earmarked funds possibly misspent
The city of Amsterdam mistakenly failed to revoke a 2020 ordinance that mandates parking revenue be spent exclusively on traffic and infrastructure. Because the formal repeal was never processed, conc...
Municipality blunders with parking revenue: earmarked funds possibly misspent
The Amsterdam municipal government failed to officially repeal a 2020 ordinance that legally earmarks parking revenue for specific traffic and transport purposes. This administrative error means that ...
Arrival of extra wind turbine at Holendrecht junction uncertain: "Landowner refuses to cooperate"
Plans to install an additional wind turbine at the Holendrecht interchange in Amsterdam have stalled due to a lack of cooperation from the landowner. The municipality is currently investigating altern...
European tech commissioner reprimands US companies: 'They just need to follow our rules'
European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen has stated that American tech companies must strictly follow European regulations, including platforms like X. Her current priorities include implementing new pol...
Jewish Boaz and Muslim Oumaima want to keep the dialogue going: "We must hold onto each other"
Jewish resident Boaz Cahn and Muslim resident Oumaima al Abdellaoui founded the Deel de Duif initiative to facilitate constructive dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict. By conducting workshops...
Brussels introduces temporary toll discounts for clean buses and trucks
The European Union has introduced a plan to provide temporary toll discounts of up to 100 percent for low- and zero-emission buses and trucks to promote greener transport. This measure aims to ease th...
Is Rob Jetten counting his chickens before they hatch? The polder agreement could still fail
The Dutch government is engaging in negotiations with unions, but significant risks remain regarding the potential failure of these discussions. Concerns have emerged that the proposed plans could ina...
First skirmishes between cabinet and polder: 'Diligence versus speed'
The Dutch cabinet is negotiating with unions and employers to reach a social agreement, balancing the need for urgent budget decisions with the demand for careful policymaking. Key areas of focus incl...
Alderman Pels unhappy with new asylum bill: "Covert criminalization of illegality"
Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink has proposed a new law to punish failed asylum seekers who refuse to cooperate with their deportation, potentially resulting in fines or prison time. Amsterdam Alder...
Alderman Pels unhappy with new asylum bill: "Camouflaged criminalization of illegality"
Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink has proposed a new law to penalize rejected asylum seekers who refuse to cooperate with their deportation. Amsterdam official Zita Pels has strongly condemned the me...
Public Prosecution Service: ‘Child soldiers’ (18 and 19) flown in from Sweden to carry out contract killings in Amsterdam and Haarlem
Two teenagers from Sweden were apprehended after being flown into the Netherlands to execute contract killings in Amsterdam and Haarlem this July. While an attempted hit in Amsterdam failed, authoriti...
50 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 50 permit applications last week regarding residential construction, structural renovations, and tree felling. The requests cover various projects across the city...
Cabinet to negotiate with social partners, union strikes suspended
The Dutch government and social partners have agreed to start formal negotiations on social security reform in the coming weeks, leading to a suspension of planned labor union actions. This developmen...
VNO-NCW chief warns unions and cabinet: 'We are heading down the Belgian path this way'
VNO-NCW chairman Coen van Oostrom has warned the Dutch government and labor unions that the current economic model is unsustainable and risks leading the country toward a decline similar to Belgium. H...
Cabinet plans to require homeowners to install hybrid heat pumps starting in 2029
Beginning in 2029, homeowners in the Netherlands must install hybrid heat pumps instead of gas-fired boilers when replacing their heating systems. The government plans to exempt apartments and monumen...
Hatchet buried: polder and cabinet begin talks on social agreement
The Dutch government and social partners have started negotiations to reach a new social agreement after withdrawing plans for 6.8 billion euros in austerity measures. The talks aim to address reforms...
NSC loses last representative: Gotink opposes party rapprochement with Keijzer
Europarlementariër Dirk Gotink has resigned from the NSC party, citing his disapproval of the party's move to seek closer ties with Mona Keijzer. His departure leaves the party founded by Pieter Omtz...