Politics

Petrol and diesel prices have hit a two-year high due to rising oil costs and global political uncertainty. Experts warn that while unmanned stations remain cheaper, manned petrol stations are finding it harder to keep prices below the 2-euro mark.

FME has called on the Dutch government and the EU to provide clarity on US import duties after a Supreme Court ruling added to uncertainty. While the decision was described as positive, the trade group warned that President Trump could still introduce new tariffs under other laws. The status of last summer’s EU–US trade deal remains unclear.

Eindhoven officials have launched a study into the possible reconstruction of a neo-Gothic city hall demolished in the 1960s. The move follows a successful public petition and a meeting between residents and city leaders to discuss restoring the historic landmark. Authorities are now weighing the costs and practicalities of bringing the 19th-century building back to the city centre.

Eelco Eerenberg is set to take over as the new State Secretary for Finance with a focus on overhauling the Dutch wealth tax system. The move follows the sudden withdrawal of the previous candidate and comes ahead of the new cabinet's official start on Monday. Investors remain watchful as the proposed reforms move toward the Senate for further debate.

The Dutch tax authority has defended its continued use of algorithms while promising to improve its ethical standards. The organisation recently received the infamous "privacy prize" for its digital practices, leading to a public discussion on how to balance efficiency with legal rights.

Caroline van der Plas is stepping down as leader of the BBB to focus on representing the countryside as a Member of Parliament. She will be succeeded by party co-founder Henk Vermeer, who aims to lead with a focus on common sense and socially conservative values. While the party has seen its popularity decline since joining the cabinet, it continues to transition from its original focus on agricultural policy to broader issues such as asylum and culture ahead of the upcoming local elections.

The D66, VVD, and CDA coalition plans to raise an additional €5 billion by increasing income tax rates, offsetting a shortfall in healthcare funding. While households and businesses will save a combined €7.3 billion on health insurance premiums, the government will recover these costs by raising the first two income tax brackets by 0.93 percentage points by 2030.

The incoming Jetten cabinet's policies are expected to slightly increase poverty in the Netherlands, according to the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis. While poverty was projected to reach 2.5 per cent by 2030 under existing policies, the new coalition's plans will push that figure to 2.7 per cent.