Politics

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.

Eindhoven Voor Elkaar (EVE) was founded by city councillor Tjeerd Ritmeester and focuses on housing, social issues, and strengthening connections among residents, neighbourhoods, and the city. With municipal elections approaching, the party is positioning itself as a new, unique local voice in a city experiencing rapid growth and growing social challenges.

The AEX index closed down 0.2 percent at 1000.62 points. Stock exchanges in Frankfurt, Paris, and London also dropped by up to 0.7 percent.

KLM, together with its partner Air France, officially announced price increase for its long haul flights.

Inflation could be significantly higher this year due to the war in the Middle East, the CPB warns in its latest forecast. Both the baseline estimate and the risk scenario carry considerable uncertainty. If energy markets remain disrupted, inflation could end up more than a quarter higher than in the CPB’s standard projection, which currently expects inflation to ease to 2.3 percent. It remains highly uncertain how long the conflict will impede oil and LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz or prompt Gulf states to reduce energy production.

Holidaymakers are increasingly turning to European destinations as the conflict in Iran fuels global uncertainty. Travel companies Sunweb and TUI report a sharp rise in bookings for Southern Europe, with Portugal, Spain, and Greece seeing the strongest surge. At the same time, package holidays are regaining popularity as travelers look for security, flexible rebooking options, and guaranteed support when plans change.