Politics News in English
Latest politics headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Initiative to fill vacant office floors with tiny houses
Thomas van Leeuwen has proposed an initiative to build tiny houses on vacant office floors in Amsterdam to help address the housing shortage. The project aims to utilize 600,000 square meters of empty...
Israel reports new attacks on Tehran
The Israeli military has announced a new wave of airstrikes targeting the Iranian capital, Tehran. According to the IDF, the strikes are focused on infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime.
Curaçao organizations concerned about damage to historical heritage
Several heritage preservation organizations in Curaçao have sent a letter to UNESCO expressing serious concerns about construction projects in Willemstad. They argue that these developments are leadi...
Sytze Rijpkema (Ja21) wants bridges over the IJ at the expense of art and culture: The cheese slicer method
Ja21 lead candidate Sytze Rijpkema proposes constructing two bridges over the IJ river in Amsterdam by reallocating funds from the city's arts and culture budget. Rijpkema suggests a broad reduction i...
Veteran and young blood side by side at De VrijeLijst in Castricum. Will Sibren be the new Ron de Haan?
Veteran politician Ron de Haan has rejoined De VrijeLijst in Castricum, the party he co-founded twenty years ago. He is working alongside newcomer Sibren de Weerd-Van Velzen as the party aims to blend...
Controversial solar farm near Schiphol to get 230,000 new panels
230,000 new glare-resistant solar panels are being installed at a solar park near Schiphol Airport to replace previous ones that blinded landing pilots. The 14-million-euro replacement project is fund...
National Coordinator develops plan against Muslim discrimination
Rabin Baldewsingh, the National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism, has announced the development of a national plan to combat Muslim discrimination. The initiative was revealed during an i...
US says it hit 6,000 targets in Iran
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that American forces have struck 6,000 targets in Iran since the beginning of the conflict. Additionally, more than ninety Iranian vessels, including thirty min...
Romania and Ukraine to jointly produce drones, strengthen energy ties
Romania and Ukraine have reached an agreement to jointly manufacture drones. The two nations also intend to strengthen their cooperation in the energy sector to ensure a more secure supply.
Jetten cabinet under fire from left and right over Iran war
The Dutch cabinet, led by Prime Minister Jetten, is facing criticism from both left- and right-wing political parties regarding its stance on the conflict in Iran. Opposition parties and the public ar...
Iran denies laying mines in Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has denied allegations that the country is laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement follows U.S. claims of disabling sixteen minelay...
Prince Constantijn’s views draw attention: Should not interfere in politics
Prince Constantijn's recent comments on politically sensitive issues have drawn criticism from Dutch Members of Parliament, who argue he should avoid attacking the government. Lawmakers expressed that...
Klaver feels ‘cheated’ by Yeşilgöz over Evertsen cannon
GroenLinks-PvdA leader Jesse Klaver has accused Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz of withholding information regarding a malfunctioning cannon on the frigate Zr. Ms. Evertsen. The issue arose during a...
Cabinet working on official deportation halt for Iranian refugees
The Dutch cabinet is preparing a formal moratorium on asylum decisions and deportations for Iranian refugees due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. Prime Minister Rob Jetten announced that Asylum Minist...
Sander Leppink of Coornhert is Teacher of the Year 2026: 'This is the only class where I can always pay attention'
Sander Leppink, a history teacher at the Coornhert Lyceum, has been named Haarlem's Teacher of the Year for 2026. He was surprised with the award and a celebration in his classroom by local officials ...
'What difference would my vote make?' Mints and pizzas fail to convince Velsen youth to vote
A delegation of young politicians held a debate in Velsen-Noord to encourage local youth to participate in upcoming elections. Despite efforts including snacks and discussions, many young attendees re...
Israel carries out strikes in central Beirut
Israel conducted airstrikes in central Beirut, targeting the Bachoura district near the Lebanese Prime Minister's office and parliament. The operation specifically aimed at Hezbollah, the Iran-backed ...
Fuel prices soaring, but it’s not as bad here: I come here specifically
Fuel prices in Amsterdam and surrounding areas have risen to between 2.10 and 2.45 euros per liter following increased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Many motorists are traveling to cheaper...
Minister: several hundred still want repatriation from Middle East
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen reported that several hundred Dutch travelers are still awaiting repatriation from the Middle East, primarily from the United Arab Emirates. Dozens more remain str...
Oil prices remain stubbornly high due to war (and that is exactly what Iran wants)
Global oil prices remain high despite dozens of countries releasing strategic reserves for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine. Experts predict that oil market uncertainty will persist until ...
Between Art and Choice: party leaders create political street art
Political party leaders in Amsterdam are participating in a project called 'Tussen Kunst en Kies' at the STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam-Noord. The participants create street art to represent their politic...
Municipality of Velsen files report over threats against councillor on social media
The municipality of Velsen has filed a police report following multiple threats directed at a council member on social media. The legal action was initiated on Thursday in response to the online haras...
ICC investigates Belarus for crimes against humanity
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has launched an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed by Belarus. The probe follows a formal request submitted by Lithuania i...
Amsterdam working on right to make mistakes without immediate fines
Jostling for Hillegom voters: Party leaders cross swords in two debates
Ahead of the municipal elections on March 18, party leaders in Hillegom participated in debates regarding the 19 available council seats. Despite the parties collectively predicting they would win 28 ...
Heemskerk election debate naturally centers on asylum seeker center again, but waste separation and gas transition also addressed: 'We see major risks'
A political debate was held in Heemskerk for undecided voters, featuring seven parties competing in the March 18 elections. The candidates discussed topics including the construction of a new asylum c...
De Bat deploys power grid reserves to avert connection freeze
The Dutch government will utilize reserve capacity on the national electricity grid to prevent a moratorium on new connections in the central Netherlands. State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat informed Parl...
Rat nuisance becomes last-minute Haarlem election issue with petitions, posters and protest marches
Residents and local politicians in Haarlem's Kleverpark neighborhood are pushing for urgent action against rat infestations, turning the issue into a major local election theme. The community has orga...
Trump welcomes oil price rise due to war against Iran
President Donald Trump stated that rising oil prices resulting from the conflict with Iran are beneficial for the United States. He noted that the U.S. earns more from its own oil production, despite ...
Klaver seeks answers on malfunctioning gun on Evertsen
GroenLinks-PvdA is seeking clarification from the Dutch cabinet following reports that the main cannon on the frigate Zr. Ms. Evertsen is not functioning. The ship is scheduled for a mission in the ea...