Governance

Prime Minister Rob Jetten has warned that Europe is being sidelined in Middle East diplomacy, urging the EU to take a more decisive stand in regional conflicts. Speaking ahead of a summit in Cyprus, Jetten proposed abolishing national vetoes to allow for faster collective action and called for stronger economic and military ties with neighbours like Lebanon and Syria. By providing more coordinated aid and building closer friendships, he believes Europe can help reduce regional tensions and better manage the resulting migration flows that directly impact the continent.

The Dutch government is finalising a new package of energy measures, including subsidies for electric vehicle purchases and relief for households struggling with energy costs. Ministers are now consulting with opposition parties to secure support for the proposals before an official presentation on Monday.

MPs Esmah Lahlah and Don Ceder have introduced a private member's bill aimed at legally mandating the reduction of child poverty. The proposed legislation would require the government to halve the number of children living in poverty by 2035, with the eventual goal of total eradication. Rather than prescribing specific measures, the bill establishes a statutory duty for the cabinet to develop coherent policies, monitor progress transparently, and make necessary adjustments if targets are missed, ensuring the issue remains a priority regardless of the political climate.

The European Parliament has endorsed a sweeping reform of the EU’s customs union, aiming to tighten controls on the massive influx of low‑value parcels entering the bloc. The overhaul introduces new enforcement tools, harmonised sanctions, and a handling fee for all imports from outside the EU.

Police in Rotterdam say a man is suspected of assaulting the same bus driver twice, first in March and again last Friday. Officers have released an image of the suspect and are appealing for witnesses.

As energy prices rise again, IMF board member Marrixt van Rij says the Dutch cabinet is right not to rush into broad support measures. He argues that any intervention should be temporary and aimed at households that are genuinely in trouble, drawing on lessons from the 2022 energy crisis.

Last November, security guards at Princess Beatrix’s Drakensteyn Castle estate and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee at a nearby gold vault both reported sightings of unauthorised drones. While the operators and their motives remain unknown, similar sightings were recorded at several Dutch air bases that same weekend. Although the Finance Minister maintains that the national gold reserves are secure deep underground, the incidents have prompted calls for increased investment in anti-drone technology to protect high-security sites.

The number of underage drug couriers has risen sharply in recent years, with minors making up over 22% of arrests last year compared to just 1% in 2020. According to Statistics Netherlands, criminal gangs are increasingly targeting vulnerable young people—particularly those under 23 from difficult backgrounds or with existing debts—because they often face lighter legal penalties under newer, stricter smuggling laws. While increased security has seen arrest numbers dip in Rotterdam, many Dutch couriers are now being apprehended in neighbouring Belgian ports like Antwerp instead.