Politics

Rabobank expects the Dutch economy to grow by 1.3 percent this year and 1.1 percent next year. Higher consumer spending and government expenditure support growth, but energy prices, geopolitical tensions and political uncertainty continue to weigh on the outlook.

Eindhoven is upgrading green, future‑proof infrastructure around BIC North. Major road and cycling infrastructure upgrades near Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) North, part of Eindhoven’s long‑term sustainable mobility plan will close the Erica for a weekend and reroute cyclists for several years.

Paul Rosenmöller has announced that he will leave politics when a new Senate is elected next year. The veteran politician says he remains eager to contribute to society but is ready to step back from political life after decades of public service.

Dutch Minister Mirjam Sterk has issued a formal apology for severe abuses and violence within closed youth care facilities. The announcement follows critical reports highlighting widespread trauma, mental health struggles, and a lack of proper aftercare for vulnerable young people.

Venezuela's potential departure from the OPEC oil cartel could deliver temporary relief to drivers at the petrol pump, though energy experts warn it will trigger unprecedented volatility in global fuel prices. Without strict OPEC production quotas, Venezuela aims to boost output alongside US investors, potentially dragging oil prices down from over $80 a barrel to as low as $30. However, analysts caution that a weakened cartel loses its power to stabilise energy markets, and the resulting slump in oil investment will likely spark sharper, more sudden price spikes in the long run.

The AEX index in Amsterdam closed the trading week higher on Friday, boosted by broad gains across the market and positive momentum across major European exchanges. Investors weighed comments from US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, who cautioned that American inflation remains sticky while clarifying that further interest rate hikes are not a foregone conclusion. Technology stocks drew support from strong earnings by US AI giant Nvidia, helping lift chemical distributor IMCD and insurer ASR to the top of the index, while Air France-KLM and property firm Eurocommercial Properties also recorded gains.

The Dutch government has introduced sweeping draft legislation to expand the operational powers of its intelligence agencies, the AIVD and MIVD, in response to growing cyber threats and hostile state actors. The proposed bill aims to cut bureaucratic red tape, compel data sharing from private companies, and enable faster intelligence sharing with the armed forces. While the most intrusive surveillance tactics will retain strict prior approval requirements, a newly established independent watchdog will oversee these expanded real-time operations to balance national security with oversight.

The Trump administration is weighing a new wave of semiconductor import tariffs, potentially extending duties to a broad range of tech products. The American tech sector warns the move could undermine the country’s AI ambitions and strain an already fragile supply chain.