Politics

Eindhoven residents should prepare their voting passes and ID documents for tomorrow’s municipal elections. Polling stations across the city will remain open until 9:00 pm, allowing all eligible residents to have their say in the local government.

Research by the Open State Foundation shows that many municipal election manifestos contain text copied directly from lobbyists. In dozens of cases, these texts were used without attribution. The organisation is now calling for greater transparency and local lobby registers.

Dutch Interior Minister Pieter Heerma says he personally contacts local politicians who face threats, calling for stronger support for councillors dealing with intimidation. Reports show aggression against municipal councillors has doubled in recent years, highlighting growing pressure on local representatives.

The Dutch government is fast-tracking a bill for mandatory disability insurance for the self-employed, despite heavy criticism from the Council of State and the CPB. Under the new proposal, self-employed workers without private cover will pay a monthly premium of up to €171, but will only receive payouts after a two-year waiting period. While experts warn that this long gap leaves many workers vulnerable, Minister Thierry Aartsen defended the plan as a necessary "basic social safety net" that balances poverty prevention with affordable costs. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, even as concerns remain over whether tax and insurance agencies can handle the massive administrative burden.

Eindhoven is changing at high speed. It has transformed into the engine of the Brainport region, one of Europe’s most innovative tech hubs. The...

The war in Iran is acting as a major brake on the Dutch economy, with Rabobank warning that growth will slow across every sector as energy and transport costs climb. Manufacturing, construction, and transport are expected to be hit hardest, potentially seeing growth stall or even shrink if oil prices reach $150 per barrel. While the healthcare sector remains resilient due to an ageing population, a shift toward more cautious consumer spending is likely to hurt retailers and the hospitality industry, as geopolitical uncertainty forces both businesses and households to tighten their belts.

In this Wednesday's local elections, there are more council seats to be filled than four years ago, with 102 seats being added across dozens of expanding municipalities. While the number of seats is legally tied to population size—ranging from 9 in small towns to 45 in large cities—most councils are growing, though Eemsdelta will see its count drop from 29 to 27. These changes mean that a total of 8,552 seats are up for grabs next week, representing a significant shift in local representation across the country.

Eindhoven’s international community will have the chance to question local politicians at a dedicated English-language debate this evening. The event at city hall aims to help voters navigate key issues like housing and integration ahead of the upcoming elections.