Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Where are we voting tomorrow? These are the 7 most unique polling stations in the Netherlands
The Dutch municipal elections are scheduled for Wednesday, featuring several unique voting locations across the country. Voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots in unconventional settings, s...
Zelensky: More than 200 Ukrainian drone experts in Middle East
President Zelensky announced that over 200 Ukrainian drone experts have been deployed to the Middle East to help defend against Iranian Shahed drones. These drones are also used extensively by Russia ...
Minister: Canceling American VAT system contract will cost money
State Secretary Eelco Eerenberg warned that terminating the contract with the American firm Fast Enterprises for the new Dutch VAT IT system would result in legal and financial repercussions. The gove...
Groningen measures against collisions with small wind turbines
The province of Groningen is introducing measures to reduce bird and bat collisions with small wind turbines. These measures include potentially shutting down the turbines at night during the month of...
Argentina officially withdraws from World Health Organization
Argentina has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) following the completion of a formal cooling-off period. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno announced the departure, confirming t...
US killed 157 people in attacks on suspected drug boats
The United States military has killed more than 157 people during at least 45 attacks on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September. These operations are part of an ongo...
D66 leafleting in De Pijp: We can still become the largest party
Melanie van der Horst, the lead candidate for D66, campaigned in Amsterdam's De Pijp neighborhood to engage undecided voters ahead of the local elections. Despite current polls placing the party behin...
Netherlands deems nearly €2 trillion EU budget too large: ‘This is unacceptable’
The Netherlands, alongside Belgium, Sweden, and Finland, has rejected the European Commission's proposed €2 trillion multi-annual budget for 2028-2034, calling the €800 billion increase unacceptab...
Watch now: Amsterdam Chooses - The Final Debate, live from Meervaart Theater
Eleven political party leaders in Amsterdam participated in a final televised debate at theater Meervaart to discuss key issues including housing, safety, and public space. The debate occurs as latest...
Sheinbaum welcomes Spanish King's acknowledgment of past abuses
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has welcomed King Felipe VI of Spain's acknowledgment of the historical abuses committed during the Spanish conquest of the Americas. She described the recognition ...
Shipowners cautious about military mission in Strait of Hormuz
The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) has expressed opposition to a Dutch military mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The organization warns that participating in such a mission ...
Mixed feelings surrounding Persian New Year, music festival cancelled
A Persian New Year music event in Haarlem has been canceled because musicians felt it was inappropriate to perform festive music given the current unrest in their homeland. Instead, a smaller jam sess...
Municipality aims to downsize civil service with new 'top structure'
Mayor Femke Halsema and Alderman Hester van Buren have announced a restructuring of Amsterdam's municipal organization from five to seven clusters to streamline decision-making. The plan aims to reduc...
From trailer park to pub: two young politicians with a mission
Young politicians Kim Denie and Sander Blankestein are campaigning for re-election to the Haarlemmermeer municipal council to better represent their generation's interests. Denie, who grew up in Amste...
Starmer assures Zelensky of British support
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of continued British support during a meeting at 10 Downing Street. Starmer emphasized that global attention must rem...
Jetten holds introductory call with President of Suriname
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten held an introductory phone call with Suriname's President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons. The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and the upcoming visit of the King in D...
Haarlem sailing clubs sound alarm over broken Buitenhuizer Bridge: No money for repair or replacement
Sailing clubs in Haarlem are sounding the alarm after Rijkswaterstaat announced there is no funding to repair or replace the broken Buitenhuizer Bridge. The bridge is expected to remain closed for sev...
European trade committee to vote on US trade deal this Thursday after all
The European Parliament's trade committee decided on Tuesday to proceed with a vote this Thursday on a portion of a trade agreement with the United States. The announcement was made by committee membe...
Youth center in Akersloot turns into polling station for one day: De Storey Club opens doors for elections
The Storey Club youth center in Akersloot has been converted into a polling station for one day during the elections. Residents of the municipality of Castricum can cast their votes at the venue where...
Hardenberg imposes penalty on COA to force closure of asylum center
The municipality of Hardenberg has imposed a penalty payment on the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) for failing to close two reception centers according to their agreement. Th...
Three Lebanese soldiers killed in Israeli airstrikes
Three Lebanese soldiers were killed following Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon near the city of Nabatieh. The Lebanese army confirmed the fatalities across two separate attacks on social media.
Trump: We do not need help from NATO countries in the Middle East
US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States no longer requires assistance from NATO allies for military operations in the Middle East. Trump stated that most allies have...
Mayor Halsema reshuffles top management after absenteeism crisis: ‘Organization is reaching its limits’
Dutch Parliament: Ban Muslim Brotherhood and affiliated organizations
A majority of the Dutch House of Representatives has voted in favor of a motion by the PVV to ban the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliated organizations. This outcome follows several previous attempt...
Come see the renovated council chamber during the open day on April 4
An open day will be held on April 4th to showcase the renovated council chamber to the public. Visitors will have the opportunity to see where the city council debates and makes decisions regarding th...
Netanyahu: Larijani's death a step toward overthrowing the regime
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a video message that the death of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani is part of an effort to empower Iranians to overthrow their government. Netany...
Prosecutors seek 15 months in prison for threatening singer Douwe Bob
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has demanded a 15-month prison sentence against a 39-year-old man for threatening singer Douwe Bob. The threats were made after the singer withdrew from a performa...
Local parties and D66 most popular in primary school elections
Primary school students who participated in the Children's Elections ahead of the municipal elections favored local parties, which collectively received 25 percent of the 4,489 votes. Among national p...
Kallas rejects normalizing relations with Moscow
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has rejected a proposal by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to normalize relations with Russia. De Wever suggested the move to restore access to cheap oil, but ...
UK faces ‘unprecedented’ meningitis outbreak
British authorities are managing an "unprecedented" meningitis outbreak linked to a nightclub in Canterbury, Kent. At least two young people have died and several others have been hospitalized as the ...