Opinion September 2012

Youp van 't Hek: The risk of wearing a balaclava Youp van 't Hek discusses the risks of using Facebook, wearing a balaclava and trying to get the better of the derivatives market.

Annemarie van Gaal: Honest Honours List While last week's departing MPs deserved their royal honours, Annemarie van Gaal thinks they are not the only ones.

Haren: One-off events lead to disproportionate measures

The riots in Haren will give rise to stricter security measures but this won’t prevent another incident from happening, writes Henri Beunders.

René van Leeuwen: Humiliated? Grow a thick skin, Aboutaleb has

Why did Martin Schulz, chairman of the European Parliament, feel called upon to comment on the film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ asks René van Leeuwen, just when the columnist had decided to ignore the whole thing?

The show must go on Prinsjesdag - the opening day of the new political year and the presentation of the government’s 2013 spending plans - has been a strange affair, writes DutchNews.nl editor Robin Pascoe.

Barend van Lieshout: Elderly to hand in Club Med bracelet All-inclusive care for the elderly is making way for a pick-and-mix system of care, says Barend van Lieshout.

Annemarie van Gaal: Shell game The government is mesmerised by the shell game played by the financial world, writes Annemarie van Gaal

Daily Mail: Weary Dutch voters opt for pro-European pragmatism but can their polarised coalition pull it off?

It is not often that a news story from the Netherlands hits the headlines on this side of the North Sea, let alone a political one.

Neelie Kroes: A clear message The Dutch have voted for the political middle ground and Europe, writes Neelie Kroes

Paul Schnabel: Love may blossom in marriage of convenience

The election results show a massive shift to the centre. Not a radical centre but a rational one. It’s also a new centre albeit made up of two old parties, writes Paul Schnabel.

René van Leeuwen: Europe wasn't the issue but it should have been

The election results aren’t as pro-Europe as they are made out to be, says René van Leeuwen. It’s just that Wilders’ tactics failed to do the job.

Youp van 't Hek: Bathing suit Youp van ‘t Hek knows what's on the queen's mind.

DutchNews.nl: The need for speed The winning VVD and PvdA need to get their skates on and make sure we have a new coalition before the winter, writes DutchNews.nl editor Robin Pascoe.

Annemarie van Gaal: The Prime minister Challenge Why not give prospective prime ministers a month each in office to see if we like them? asks Annemarie van Gaal.

Will the election results be a tragedy or farce?

Intransigence from the right-wing Liberals will only play into Geert Wilders' hands so don't vote VVD, says Giles Scott-Smith of the Holland Bureau.

Integration is an EU-wide issue which needs addressing, says Gerd Leers

European Union citizens need to take responsibility for their own integration when moving to the Netherlands, immigration minister Gerd Leers told a recent conference.