Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

Energy agency in talks with governments over release of extra oil
The International Energy Agency is consulting with governments in Asia and Europe regarding the release of additional oil reserves. This potential action follows a previous release of 400 million barr...

Ambulances of Jewish organization set on fire in London
Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish organization were set on fire in North London on Sunday night. British police are investigating the arson as an antisemitic hate crime.

Israeli military: large-scale attacks on Tehran
The Israeli military (IDF) announced it launched a series of large-scale airstrikes against Tehran on Monday morning. According to military officials, the operation specifically targeted infrastructur...
Chaos over asbestos toys: warnings everywhere, no clear overview
A rise in product warnings for toys containing asbestos has created confusion across Europe due to inconsistent reporting standards between different countries. The central European system designed to...
Turnout disparities between Amsterdam neighborhoods are an acute threat to democracy, says this political scientist

Paris mayor: City will never be far-right
Left-wing candidate Emmanuel Grégoire has been elected as the mayor of Paris after defeating conservative former minister Rachida Dati. His victory ensures the continuation of socialist party governa...

Slovenians limited to 50 liters of fuel per day
Slovenia has introduced a temporary 50-liter daily fuel limit for motorists due to shortages at gas stations. The supply issues are driven by high demand from Italian and Austrian drivers taking advan...

Iranians protest on Dam Square against the Iranian regime, the crown prince, and bombs
Iranian protesters gathered on Dam Square in Amsterdam on Sunday afternoon to demonstrate against the Iranian regime, the crown prince, and military intervention. The demonstrators expressed oppositio...

Exit poll: PM Golob's liberal party narrowly the largest in Slovenia
According to exit polls, Prime Minister Robert Golob's liberal Freedom Movement has narrowly won the parliamentary elections in Slovenia. The party was in a close race against the right-wing populist ...

With every bomb falling in the Middle East, an environmental disaster unfolds
The ongoing conflict involving Israel and the United States against Iran has caused a significant environmental crisis within its first three weeks. Over four hundred environmental incidents have been...

Dozens protest for Iran at US consulate on Museumplein: We don't want your war
Dozens of protesters gathered at the US Consulate on Museumplein and at Dam Square in Amsterdam to demonstrate against US and Israeli military involvement in the Middle East. Participants called for a...

Childcare 'discount' not yet enticing parents to work
The Dutch government is significantly increasing childcare subsidies ahead of a transition to nearly free childcare in 2029. Despite expectations that these financial incentives would encourage parent...

Hundreds protest in central Amsterdam against war in Iran
Between 200 and 300 people gathered at Dam Square in Amsterdam on Sunday to protest against the ongoing conflict in Iran. The demonstration was organized by the International Foundation for Iranian Wo...

Trump: ICE agents to help at airports starting Monday
US President Donald Trump announced that ICE agents will begin assisting with airport security starting Monday. This decision follows ongoing congressional debates regarding funding for the Department...

Belgium commemorates terror attacks of 10 years ago
Belgium commemorated the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks at Brussels Airport and a metro station. The 2016 bombings resulted in 35 deaths and left hundreds of people injured.

Settlers set fires in West Bank villages
Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank during the night between Saturday and Sunday. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported the attacks, which occurred followin...

Ambassador: Jetten at private dinner with Trump and royal couple
Premier Rob Jetten will join King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima for a private dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump and Melania Trump in Washington D.C. The American ambassador to the Netherlan...

Universities want to cut back on big tech, but switching takes years
Dutch universities are working to decrease their dependency on major American technology companies like Microsoft and Google in favor of European alternatives. While concrete steps are being taken, un...

Israel accelerates demolition of Lebanese homes in frontline villages
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ordered the military to accelerate the demolition of Lebanese houses in frontline villages. The Israeli government state...

Defense Ministry to hire over 1,000 for drone units
The Dutch army plans to integrate drone and counter-drone units into all its combat divisions, necessitating the recruitment of 1,000 to 1,200 new personnel. Chief of Defense Onno Eichelsheim announce...

Willemien Ruygrok (1951 - 2025): Resolute with a very soft heart
Willemien Ruygrok, a dedicated advocate who passed away in December 2025, was known for her commitment to human rights. Throughout her life, she worked to advance the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, w...

Anti-racism demonstration warns of new fascism: 'What was written in 1939 still applies today'
Thousands of people gathered in Amsterdam on Saturday for a demonstration against racism and discrimination. The protest primarily focused on warning against the rise of fascism, drawing parallels to ...

Haarlem security company challenges lost Bollenstreek contract: ‘Tender for guarding reception centers was unfair’
Haarlem-based security firm Alpha Security BV has initiated a summary proceeding against the work organization HLT Samen over a lost contract for guarding reception centers in the Bollenstreek. The co...

Analysis: US Patriot missile involved in Bahrain explosion
An expert analysis reviewed by Reuters suggests that a U.S. Patriot missile was likely involved in a March 9 explosion in Bahrain that injured dozens of civilians. Although Bahrain and Washington prev...
Oil companies also fighting for scarce oil and gas
Oil companies like Shell are facing intense competition to secure scarce oil and gas supplies. Industry leaders highlight that they are currently navigating significant logistical challenges to ensure...

Musical chairs: Seven candidates join Velsen council thanks to preference votes
Seven candidates from five different parties have secured seats in the Velsen municipal council through preference votes. Despite their low positions on the party lists, these candidates received enou...

New attacks on Israel, damage and casualties reported
Israel has reported new missile attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, resulting in at least one fatality in the northern part of the country. While Israeli media stated that multiple Iranian missiles were ...

Over 500 hours of near-total internet shutdown in Iran
Iran has experienced a near-total internet blockade for more than 500 hours, according to internet watchdog Netblocks. The government has severed international connections and restricted domestic serv...

UAE and Saudi Arabia report Iranian missile and drone attacks
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia reported incoming missile and drone attacks from Iran on Sunday. While the UAE activated its air defense systems, Saudi Arabia confirmed that one missile was ...