DutchNews podcast – The Resurrection Rutte Edition – Week 14

Photo: ANP/HH/Peter Hilz
Photo: ANP/HH/Peter Hilz

In an Easter week of remarkable comebacks, none was so spectacular as Mark Rutte’s career diving and resurfacing like a Dutch submarine catching a glimpse of barbecue sunshine. Forum voor Democratie’s prodigal pensioner Theo Hiddema returned as a senator and veteran negotiator Herman Tjeenk Willink came out of retirement to head the coalition formation talks. We ask what could possibly go wrong as Hugo de Jonge unveils a cunning plan to hold mass public events in the middle of a pandemic. If you prefer to stay indoors, we explain how you can help fish navigate the Dutch canal network from the safety of your laptop. And the Dutch art world’s answer to Sherlock Holmes helps track down a suspect in the case of two stolen paintings by Van Gogh and Frans Hals.

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Ophef of the week: Flyers for legal ‘party drug’ spark consternation in Achterhoek

Election news

Herman Tjeenk Willink stresses need to restore trust as coalition talks restart

VVD party stands behind Mark Rutte but coalition options are limited

Coalition scouts take the blame for Pieter Omtzigt memo that stopped talks

Coronavirus news

Netherlands stops using AstraZeneca vaccine for under-60s

Man faces terrorism charges for plotting to attack vaccination centre

Positive tests start to decline but intensive care beds are still filling up

Dutch government launches experimental plan for ‘corona-free’ events

Other news

D66 MP Vera Bergkamp unseats Khadija Arib as parliamentary chairwoman

Theo Hiddema flip-flops again to become FVD senator

Man arrested in connection with theft of Van Gogh and Hals paintings

Fish get online doorbell to help navigate Dutch canal system

From the DutchNews archive: a list of species the Netherlands wants to cull

You can answer the fish doorbell at visdeurbel.nl

Sport

Oranje beat Gibraltar 7-0, De Boer says he’s glad it’s over

Qatar and coronavirus controversies overshadow Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Latvia

Tributes pour in for Dutch Paralympian Bibian Mentel after she dies of cancer at 48

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