Politics Archives - DutchNews.nl

Voters to choose four new merged councils

Local elections are taking place this week in 11 municipalities that are being reduced to four under government restructuring. The biggest merger will take place in north-east Brabant, where five existing municipalities, including Cuijk and Boxmeer, will be replaced by the Land van Cuijk, with a population of 90,000 people. Thirteen parties are taking part in the election, with Labour (PvdA) and GroenLinks standing on a joint ticket. Voting has been spread over three days to reduce the risk of... More >

30% ruling cost treasury €750m

The decision to delay the implementation of changes to the 30% ruling, the tax break given to a small group of international workers, cost the treasury some €750m, according to government documents, obtained under freedom of information legislation. The government originally planned to cut the tax break from eight to five years in 2019 but agreed to a two-year transition to 2021 for current claimants following pressure from employers at both Dutch and international companies. People arriving in the Netherlands... More >

Dutch reporter leaves Greece over threats

Dutch journalist Ingeborg Beugel is leaving her home in Greece because of threats to her life after calling out Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis about refugee pushbacks in the Aegean Sea at a press conference earlier this month. Beugel asked Mitsotakis when he would ‘stop lying’ about the pushbacks, to which a visibly angry Mitsotakis responded: ‘Look, you will not come into this building and insult me. Am I very clear on this?’ Beugel, who has lived in Greece for... More >

Aid workers' trial on Lesbos postponed

The Greek trial of 24 aid workers accused of people trafficking, spying and membership of a criminal organisation has has been postponed because the court does not consider itself competent to deal with the case. It is not clear if a higher tribunal will take over the case or when the trial will take place. Retired Duch banker and aid worker Pieter Wittenberg, who had travelled to Lesbos to be present at his trial, said he was very disappointed at... More >