Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
CU supports government asylum plans, previously opposed emergency law
The ChristenUnie (CU) has announced its support for the Dutch cabinet's current asylum plans, marking a shift from its previous opposition to the asylum emergency measures law. The party confirmed thi...
Yeşilgöz: Netherlands wants to contribute more in Strait of Hormuz
Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz announced in Brussels that the Netherlands is prepared to increase its contribution to the protection of the Strait of Hormuz. The specifics of this additional ...
Ukraine to receive first part of EU drone loan in June
Ukraine is set to receive the first installment of a €90 billion EU loan in June to purchase drones. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that these drones are currently the most vital capacit...
No support for coalition plan for corporate ‘freedom contribution’
A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives has rejected a coalition proposal to fund increased defense spending through higher disability insurance premiums for businesses. The opposition unanim...
Churches acknowledge suffering of birth mothers but offer no apology
The Interchurch Contact in Government Affairs (CIO), representing thirty Dutch church denominations, has acknowledged the profound pain and suffering of unmarried mothers who were forced to give up th...
First pro-independence leader of Wales appointed
Rhun ap Iorwerth of the Plaid Cymru party has been appointed as the First Minister of Wales following his party's recent election victory. He is the first leader in the history of the Senedd to advoca...
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema becomes chair of the Pact of Free Cities
End of zero-hours contracts nears after Dutch parliament vote
The Dutch House of Representatives has approved a law to phase out zero-hour contracts, aiming to provide greater protection for the country's 2.7 million flexible workers. This move marks a significa...
Unions ready for action, passengers will feel the impact
Dutch labor unions are preparing for a series of strikes this summer to protest proposed government cuts to social security. These actions are expected to significantly disrupt travel and could paraly...
Two German soldiers from NATO base Brunssum assaulted and injured
Two German soldiers stationed at the NATO headquarters in Brunssum were attacked and slightly injured by masked individuals shouting anti-NATO slogans. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is currently ...
Jetten briefly in hospital after being stung while swimming
Dutch Premier Rob Jetten was briefly hospitalized on Bonaire on Tuesday morning after being stung by an unidentified creature while swimming. Jetten experienced an allergic reaction but did not sustai...
Majority of Dutch parliament wants to deny rapper Ye entry to the Netherlands
A large majority of the Dutch House of Representatives wants to deny rapper Ye entry to the Netherlands due to his history of antisemitic remarks. The artist, formerly known as Kanye West, is currentl...
More than a hundred party colleagues express support for Starmer
More than 100 Labour members of parliament have signed a statement of support for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Despite facing significant pressure to resign, these party colleagues are reaffir...
Asylum protest turns violent, but The Hague sees something else entirely
Local asylum protests in the Netherlands have turned violent, leading to a political debate in the House of Representatives over whether the cause is rising right-wing extremism or the asylum crisis i...
Pro Castricum and Lokaal Vitaal submit written questions over potential use of steel slag in municipality
Political parties Pro Castricum and Lokaal Vitaal have submitted written questions to the municipal executive concerning the potential use of steel slag within the municipality. The inquiry was prompt...
Amsterdam makes progress in tackling housing crisis, but major challenges remain
Amsterdam is making progress in addressing its housing crisis by increasing the number of social housing units and reducing waiting times for applicants. Additionally, new measures have been implement...
More social housing in Amsterdam: waiting times slightly shorter but still nearly ten years
Parliament wants to scrap expanded mortgage interest deduction, coalition divided
A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives has supported a motion to prevent the expansion of mortgage interest deductions. The proposal has caused a divide within the ruling coalition, with D66...
Fat bike ban makes Enschede city center much quieter, says municipality
The municipality of Enschede reports that its fat bike ban in the city center has successfully reduced traffic since it took effect on March 11. Fat bike retailer La Souris has filed a lawsuit against...
Irene de Bel: 'Our legal system provides too few tools to tackle online abuse'
The Dutch hosting company NForce voluntarily took down the controversial website Motherless following a request from the Public Prosecution Service due to its host of illegal content. This action high...
Dutch children already underperform in math by age 5, but score better in one area
The International Early Learning and Child Well-being Study (IELS) shows that Dutch five-year-olds score lower in mathematics than their international peers. While lagging in math, Dutch children perf...
In ‘The President’s Cake’ a 9-year-old girl must bake a cake for Saddam Hussein: ‘Iraq was a black hole in the early nineties’
Asylum protest in Apeldoorn continues, handful of arrests
Protesters in Apeldoorn continued to demonstrate against a planned emergency shelter for 240 asylum seekers, resulting in four arrests on Monday night for misconduct. Local authorities and police rema...
Germany sees more cyberattacks and wants to strike back
Germany is developing a more active cyber defense strategy and preparing legislation to allow for counterattacks following an increase in cyberattacks. Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt anno...
Koen Radstake new municipal secretary of Haarlem
Koen Radstake has been appointed as the new municipal secretary and general director of Haarlem, effective June 1st. He succeeds Catrien Lenstra, who moved to the municipality of Amsterdam, and will a...
First asylum seekers arrive at Loosdrecht town hall
The first group of asylum seekers arrived at a temporary emergency shelter in the Loosdrecht town hall on Tuesday morning. The facility has a capacity for seventy people and the arrival was unannounce...
Lebanon: 380 killed in attacks since ceasefire with Israel took effect
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that 380 people, including 22 children and 39 women, have been killed in Israeli attacks since a ceasefire began last month.
Russia confirms end of ceasefire with Ukraine
Russia has confirmed the end of its humanitarian ceasefire with Ukraine, announcing that combat operations will now resume. A Kremlin spokesperson stated that the truce has officially concluded follow...
Police seize record number of illegal weapons from minors
Dutch police seized a record total of over 2,300 prohibited weapons from minors last year, including 947 knives and 442 firearms or components. Law enforcement officials expressed significant concern ...
Israel approves establishment of tribunal for October 7 attacks
The Israeli parliament has approved the creation of a special tribunal to try Palestinians suspected of involvement in the October 7, 2023, attacks. This newly established court will have the legal au...