Things fall apart in this week’s podcast as we update you on the increasingly bitter Zwarte Piet debate, plans to deal with a no-deal Brexit, the dispute over the 30% ruling and an electoral boycott triggered by a missing hyphen. Thankfully the football team salvaged some pride with their stunning comeback against Germany. In our discussion we ask if the breakdown of talks to reform the pension system is the beginning of the end for the Dutch polder model.

Ophef of the week: Albert Heijn destroys Christmas with ‘vegetarian propaganda’ (RTL, Dutch)

TOP STORY

Rutte issues mild rebuke to hooligans who threw eggs at Zwarte Piet protesters

NEWS

Stef Blok proposes emergency powers to soften impact of ‘no deal’ Brexit

Campaigners for 30% ruling transition period switch attention to Senate

D66 success with constitutional reform paves way for elected mayors

GroenLinks make major gains in Groningen in elections for new councils

SPORT

Late equaliser against Germany sends Oranje through to Nations League semis

Van Barneveld brings down curtain on 35-year darts career

Dutch want to host 2027 women’s World Cup in wake of Leeuwinnen success

DISCUSSION: PENSION TALKS COLLAPSE

Pension reform talks collapse as unions pull out over retirement age

Cabinet may press ahead with pension reforms with unions’ blessing