Sunday 22 May 2022

Local councils are getting slower at putting together coalitions: NOS

Local councils are getting slower at putting together coalitions: NOS

Two months after the local elections, just over a third of local authorities have a new coalition, according to research by broadcaster NOS. In total, elections were held in 333 local council areas but so far just 130 have new coalitions and policy makers in place. In 2018, 233 councils had worked out new coalitions two months after the vote, and four years before that, all but 12 had done so, NOS said. The research showed small and medium-sized local... More >

Opposition criticises heat pump plan

Opposition criticises heat pump plan

Opposition politicians have strongly criticised housing minister Hugo de Jonge’s plan to require householders to switch to hybrid heat pumps from 2026. Criticism came from populist parties such as JA21 and the farmers’ party BBB, but also from Labour (PvdA), who said the move did not take account of the high costs involved. ‘The cabinet sometimes seems completely detached from the concerns of ordinary people,’ said PvdA MP and former Greenpeace activist Joris Thijssen. ‘Of course heat pumps are the... More >

Ministers complete opposition party tour

Ministers complete opposition party tour

Prime minister Mark Rutte and finance minister Sigrid Kaag on Wednesday completed their first round of informal talks with all the opposition parties, looking for support for their spring mini budget. The cabinet needs the backing of the opposition to get more controversial measures through the senate, where it only controls 32 seats, six short of a majority. Rutte and Kaag had presented their tour of opposition parties as a ‘tangible expression’ of the new open government culture yet ‘the... More >

Opposition seek concessions in June budget

Opposition seek concessions in June budget

Opposition parties GroenLinks and Labour have said they need to secure major concessions from the government before they can support its spring budget plans. The coalition needs the support of at least one opposition group in the Senate, where it is six seats short of a majority. GroenLinks and Labour (PvdA), who have 14 senators between them, agreed a 15-point joint policy plan in December covering issues such as climate, the labour market and inequality. Labour’s new parliamentary leader, Attje... More >

Tough spring budget negotiations lie ahead

Tough spring budget negotiations lie ahead

Ministers will spend this week trying to persuade opposition parties to back their spring budget statement, which is due to be published on June 1. The coalition needs the support of at least one other party in the senate, where it is six seats short of a majority. The most likely candidates are GroenLinks and PvdA, who have formed an opposition pact and hold 14 senate seats, while JA21 can guarantee the votes of a seven-strong breakaway group from Forum... More >

Concerns about high holiday rental fines

Concerns about high holiday rental fines

A tough approach to illegal hotels in Amsterdam is unfairly punishing people who make simple mistakes, according to local politicians and a lobby group for B&Bs. Last year, Amsterdam council gave 72 people a fine for holiday rental in breach of the strict rules introduced after universal concerns in the council about over-tourism. Now, however around 30 people have asked for assistance from the Amsterdam ombudsman because they believe they have been unfairly victimised, with fines from €8,700 for what... More >

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