Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
The Greenhouse | Will we finally stick to voluntary environmental agreements?
Climate reporter Jeroen Kraan discusses the resurgence of environmental covenants as a policy tool in the Netherlands. The column questions whether lessons have been learned from the 1990s to ensure t...
Average Haarlem councillor submitted 20 motions in recent years, D66 most effective
The average Haarlem city council member submitted twenty motions in recent years, with the D66 party identified as the most effective in the chamber. The report examines how political campaign promise...
Fake celebrity interview scams harmful to democracy: ‘Time to put a stop to it’
The Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) is calling on tech companies to take stronger action against fraudulent fake interviews featuring Dutch celebrities on social media. The organization warns t...
Iranian Revolutionary Guard vows to kill Netanyahu
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has vowed to target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the ongoing conflict involving Israel and the United States. This statement underscores the escalatin...
French politicians hug dogs and cats to attract votes: criticism of ‘animalwashing’ grows
French politicians are using pets in their election campaigns to attract voters, a practice facing growing criticism as 'animal washing.' The strategy is especially prominent in Paris, a city with a h...
What does a local councillor actually do? An inside look at the work of Gino (47): 'I sometimes see it as a kind of arena'
Gino Zucotti, a 47-year-old local council member in Alkmaar, shares his experiences and the challenges of political life as he seeks a second term. The article explores his motivations and the nature ...
Billions likely involved in undeclared work, but chance of getting caught is small
Although billions of euros are estimated to be involved in undeclared work in the Netherlands, the likelihood of being caught remains low. Authorities currently prioritize investigating international ...
Three more Iranian female footballers withdraw Australian asylum applications
Three additional Iranian female footballers who had applied for asylum in Australia have decided to withdraw their applications and return home. The report was published by the newspaper The Australia...
Van Weel does not rule out link between Amsterdam and Rotterdam attacks
Israel: violent antisemitism in the Netherlands is unacceptable
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has condemned violent antisemitism in the Netherlands as completely unacceptable. He stated that it is intolerable for the historic Jewish community to continue facing s...
We are doing everything we can to make having children as difficult as possible
Young people in the Netherlands are increasingly delaying major life milestones like living together and starting a family due to financial and political barriers. Despite expressed concerns from poli...
CDA leader celebrates iftar in Osdorp: "It doesn't get more CDA than this"
Rogier Havelaar, the CDA lead candidate for Amsterdam, attended an iftar at a community center in Osdorp to highlight the party's commitment to social cohesion and local neighborhood investment. Despi...
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine flees country
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has fled the country after being in hiding since January. His departure follows allegations of fraud in the presidential election, which saw incumbent President Yow...
Melanie van der Horst (D66) aims to restore trust in government: 'Policy often holds the power'
Melanie van der Horst, leader of the D66 party in Amsterdam, has proposed a ten-point plan to restore public trust by making the municipal government more flexible and resident-focused. The plan advoc...
Roaring generators and colorful flower seeds: Haarlem parties turn on the charm on final major campaign day
Seventeen political parties held a final large-scale campaign event in Haarlem's Koningstraat this past weekend ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. The election market featured various activiti...
Trump wants more countries to send warships to the Gulf region
U.S. President Donald Trump has called on other countries to send warships to the Gulf region to protect oil tankers. The initiative aims to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid tensi...
EU sanctions against pro-Russian individuals extended after Hungary and Slovakia approval
The European Union has extended sanctions for six months against individuals and entities suspected of supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This decision follows the withdrawal of opposition from ...
Police Chief: police on alert after attacks on Jewish institutions
Police across the Netherlands are on high alert following attacks on a synagogue in Rotterdam and a Jewish school in Amsterdam. Police Chief Janny Knol stated that these incidents have a profound impa...
More focus on mental health and affordable youth housing in expensive hotspots? These are the choices for young people in Zandvoort
Ahead of the municipal elections on March 18, eight political parties in Zandvoort are focusing on mental health and affordable housing to retain young residents. The parties present different choices...
Haaretz: Israel and Lebanon to discuss attacks in coming days
Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to meet in the coming days to discuss the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah. These discussions mark the first diplomatic contact between the tw...
Van Weel: Link between school and synagogue attackers not ruled out
Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel stated that a possible connection between attacks on a Rotterdam synagogue and an Amsterdam Jewish school is currently being investigated. While four su...
Wienen bans music at BVNL nighttime campaign event to prevent noise nuisance
Mayor Jos Wienen of Haarlem banned the BVNL party from playing music during a nighttime campaign event in the city center. The party intended the activity to support local nightlife and Haarlem Jazz, ...
Increased police presence at Jewish institutions in Amsterdam
Police presence has been significantly increased at Jewish institutions across Amsterdam following an overnight explosion at a school in the Buitenveldert neighborhood. Officers from the Surveillance ...
German philosopher and sociologist Jürgen Habermas dies at 96
The renowned German philosopher and sociologist Jürgen Habermas has passed away at the age of 96. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the modern era.
Yeşilgöz: local elections make a ‘massive difference’
VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz campaigned in Almere on Saturday to highlight the significant impact of municipal elections on residents' daily lives. Local candidate Lesley van Hilten expressed hope for ...
Bayram Gezer (61) combined 28 years of council work in Beverwijk with 41 years at Tata Steel: ‘To relax, I switched piles of paper’
Bayram Gezer is stepping down after serving 28 years as a council member in Beverwijk, making him one of the longest-serving local politicians in the Netherlands. Throughout his political career, he s...
Iran blamed for attacks on synagogue and Jewish school: 'Unfortunately, we see this more often'
A recent explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam-Zuid marks the third attack on Jewish institutions in the Netherlands and Belgium within a single week. Authorities are investigating potential links...
Vehicles stopped on A2 during XR protest
Police stopped two vans attempting to enter the A2 highway during an Extinction Rebellion demonstration, leading to a temporary closure of the road. The disruption occurred between Kruisdonk and Maast...
National police team for security of Jewish institutions
The Dutch police have established a national team, the NSGBO, to coordinate the security of Jewish institutions at a strategic level. This initiative follows recent security incidents, including an at...
Israel: Wave of antisemitism sweeps the Netherlands
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that a wave of antisemitism is affecting the Netherlands following an attack on a Jewish school in Amsterdam. The incident occurred during the night ...