Thursday 09 February 2023

FvD provincial councillors have worst attendance records: NOS

FvD provincial councillors have worst attendance records: NOS

Members of far right Forum voor Democratie and its various splinter parties have by far the worse attendance record as members of the 12 provincial councils, broadcaster NOS said on Thursday. FvD was the big winner at the 2019 provincial elections, taking a total of 86 council seats, or 15% of the total. But FvD current and former councillors are responsible over one-third of the no-shows at meetings, NOS said. Since then the party has virtually collapsed and just 23... More >

Netherlands gives €10m to quake-hit Syria

Netherlands gives €10m to quake-hit Syria

The Dutch government is to give €10 million in aid to Syria in the wake of the earthquake that has left at least 2,500 people dead in a country already torn apart by civil war. Overseas aid minister Liesbeth Schreinemacher said support for Syria was complicated by the lack of diplomatic ties and sanctions against president Bashar Al-Assad’s regime that restrict access to the country. The affected region includes the cities of Aleppo and Homs, which have been devastated by... More >

Utrecht clean-up starts after 7-day strike

Utrecht clean-up starts after 7-day strike

Refuse collectors in Utrecht are going back to work at the end of a seven-day strike in which tonnes of rubbish piled high in the city’s streets. Unions have warned council workers will go on strike other municipalities in the coming weeks in an ongoing dispute over pay. The FNV union is demanding a 12% increase for its members, while the Dutch local government association NVG has offered 5% this year and 3% next year. Work to start clearing piles... More >

Volt wins appeal against MP Gündoğan

Volt wins appeal against MP Gündoğan

Opposition party Volt has won its appeal against MP Nilüfer Gündoğan, who was expelled as a member in the wake of complaints about abusive behaviour. Gündoğan, 45, was elected as one of three MPs for the pro-European party in 2021, but a year later she had her membership revoked after being accused of physical violence, making unwanted sexual advances, and abusing her position of power. A court ruled that the expulsion was invalid and ordered Volt to pay Gündoğan €5,000... More >

Dutch military aid to Ukraine tops €1bn

Dutch military aid to Ukraine tops €1bn

Dutch military support for Ukraine has now topped €1 billion, defence minister Kajsa Ollongren has told MPs in her latest update. Around half the aid is in the form of equipment which is having an impact on the Dutch armed forces’ capabilities, but still at an acceptable level, Ollongren said. In addition, the Netherlands has given Ukraine financial support via various funds, some of which has been refunded via the EU. Last month prime minister Mark Rutte said the Netherlands... More >

Closure of army barracks in Assen scrapped

Closure of army barracks in Assen scrapped

The government has scrapped plans to close the Johan Willem Friso army barracks in Assen after intense lobbying in Drenthe to keep the facility open. The closure of the barracks was mooted last year as a ‘serious option’ under government plans to modernise the armed forces’ estate of 10,000 buildings in 350 locations. Provincial and local council politicians in Assen opposed the move, saying it would lead to the loss of around 1,000 jobs and 500 training places and have... More >

Doxing set to become an offence

Doxing set to become an offence

A majority of MPs are expected to support new legislation that will make publishing a person’s address online so they can be intimidated a crime, but questions remain about how the measure can be policed. At the moment the online publication of a private address, known as doxing, is not an offence. The need for the new legislation, which will be discussed in parliament on Thursday, is not in dispute but questions remain about its effectiveness, broadcaster NOS reported. CDA... More >

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