Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Healthcare came close to code black several times during the pandemic
Former Medical Care Minister Tamara van Ark testified to a parliamentary inquiry commission that the Dutch healthcare system nearly reached "code black" several times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alt...
Ukraine attacks Russian-used Mariupol port
Ukraine launched an overnight attack on several facilities in the port of Mariupol, which is currently under Russian control. Kyiv officials stated that the strike has significantly hindered Russia's ...
Community service for Geert Dales for insult, slander and doxing
Former politician Geert Dales was sentenced by an Amsterdam court to 80 hours of community service, with 40 hours suspended, for insulting a taxi driver, defamation, and doxing. The ruling follows an ...
Van Ark: COVID crisis urgency took precedence over the long term
Former Health Minister Tamara van Ark testified before a parliamentary inquiry committee that the Dutch cabinet rarely had the opportunity to weigh long-term consequences of COVID-19 measures against ...
Media: Thousands of Iranians without water after US attacks
Iranian state media reports that thousands of residents in southern Sirik are without drinking water during a period of extreme heat following US air strikes. The bombings reportedly caused significan...
57 municipal notices on demolition, tree removal and hospitality in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 57 permit applications last week concerning demolition, tree felling, and hospitality activities. These reports aim to inform residents about various developments...
City council pushes for supermarket beer ban during Heemskerk festivals: 'Things happen there that you don't want to see'
The Heemskerk local government is proposing a ban on supermarket alcohol sales during the annual Volksfeesten to combat public nuisance and underage drinking. Despite previous measures like increased ...
'Make Breesaperhof a public sports park.' Proposal from Velsen-Noord resident to Velsen city council
A local resident has proposed transforming Breesaperhof in Velsen-Noord into a public sports park to revitalize the area. The site is currently described as being in urgent need of redevelopment due t...
Brakes on extra floors for Haarlem buildings: Too expensive, legally complex and parking issues
The Haarlem city government has decided against a city-wide initiative to add extra floors to existing buildings following a two-year feasibility study. While the project aimed to address housing shor...
European Parliament counts on member states to implement EU migration pact
Members of the European Parliament announced during a press conference that EU member states are responsible for implementing the new asylum and migration pact. The pact is scheduled to take effect th...
Pakistan claims dozens of extremists killed in border region
Pakistani authorities report killing at least 26 extremists during military operations in the border region with Afghanistan. The strikes specifically targeted shelters linked to the Pakistani Taliban...
Heemstede has its new executive board: What will come of the coalition agreement plans?
On Monday evening, Heemstede's new college of mayor and aldermen was officially inaugurated with the installation of Dimitry van den Berg, Eveline Stam, and Sam Meerhoff. The three aldermen took their...
Dutch Tax Authority to stop including BSN in payments this year
The Dutch Tax Administration will stop including citizen service numbers (BSN) in payment descriptions by the end of this year to improve privacy. This change, reported by the Dutch Data Protection Au...
Manga and anime fans protest after Trump ninja video
A video depicting Donald Trump as a ninja from a popular manga series has sparked online backlash among anime fans. A Japanese online petition expressing concern about the depiction has already gather...
Watch COVID inquiry: Former minister Van Ark oversaw face mask procurement
Former Dutch ministers Tamara van Ark and Wouter Koolmees are testifying on the sixth day of the parliamentary inquiry into the government's COVID-19 response. Van Ark is being questioned about the pr...
Former Minister Koolmees felt ‘sick’ about curfew: A devil’s dilemma
Former Dutch ministers Tamara van Ark and Wouter Koolmees testified on the sixth day of the COVID-19 parliamentary inquiry. They explained the difficult trade-offs between medical and economic interes...
Municipality issues first fines to fatbikers in Vondelpark: 39 tickets in two weeks
This cheap drug can prevent heart attacks, but strict rules keep it from patients: ‘This can’t be true’
A cheap gout medication approved by the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board has been shown to prevent heart attacks, but regulatory barriers are preventing heart patients from accessing it. Despite its e...
Gasunie concerned about gas reserves for coming winter
Gasunie has expressed concerns that gas reserves in the Netherlands may not be replenished in time for the upcoming winter. The national gas infrastructure company warns that storage levels could fall...
People and companies prosecuted for Hong Kong residential complex fire
Authorities in Hong Kong are prosecuting seven individuals and two companies following a fatal fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex last year. The charges, linked to renovation work at the s...
Velsen holds second pizza night for youth: what matters to you?
The municipality of Velsen is hosting a pizza evening on Monday, June 15, for residents aged 14 to 22. The event provides a platform for young people to discuss topics they find important and to meet ...
40 percent of GP practices in disadvantaged neighborhoods need support
Approximately 40% of general practitioner practices in disadvantaged Amsterdam neighborhoods are still waiting for specialized support assistants to help patients whose physical symptoms are caused by...
Alderman Meerhoff and council block Heemstede emergency shelter: ‘Handling tasks side by side requires too much capacity’
The Heemstede municipal council has rejected a proposal to establish temporary emergency housing for asylum seekers at a former police station on Kerklaan. Alderman Sam Meerhoff stated that managing t...
In this unique part of Amsterdam, residents refuse to make way for demolition: ‘You are destroying everything’
Residents of Amsteldorp in Amsterdam are protesting against the planned demolition of small houses intended to be replaced by larger housing complexes. They argue that the project will destroy the uni...
VVD youth propose bold plan: abolish state pension and overhaul mortgage interest deduction
The JOVD, the youth wing of the Dutch VVD party, has proposed a new political program that includes the gradual abolition of the state pension (AOW). The group also calls for ending the mortgage inter...
Toos & Henk - June 10
Cartoonist Paul Kusters presents his unique take on current affairs in the daily 'Toos & Henk' comic strip. The series is published daily from Monday to Saturday.
Tobacco industry dives into legal cannabis. What can we expect? ‘They will focus on health benefits’
The parent company of Marlboro has joined the Dutch legal cannabis experiment by purchasing a large greenhouse in Hellevoetsluis. Experts anticipate that the tobacco industry will utilize its lobbying...
Trump with 'Make Holland win again' slogan on Café Scheiwijck facade: 'Every goal sparks a run on the tap'
Café Scheiwijck in Beverwijk has decorated its facade with an image of Donald Trump and the slogan 'Make Holland win again' for the upcoming Dutch national football team matches. Owner Taylor van Mar...
Uncertainty over: Castricum coastal bus to keep running after extra council support
The free coastal bus service in Castricum will continue to operate this summer after receiving additional support from the local council. The bus will run daily between the Castricum railway station a...
'Why does it always have to be here?' Concerns and calls for protest over proposed asylum center de Tiltenberg in Vogelenzang
Residents of Vogelenzang have launched a petition with over 600 signatures to protest the planned opening of an asylum seeker reception center at the Tiltenberg estate. The local village council expre...