The Netherlands has breached the European Union rules on the reception of asylum seekers, such as access for food, clothing and shelter, for undocumented adults, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) states. A Council of Europe human rights committee must now decide whether or not it will take action against the Netherlands based on the harshly critical ECSR report, unless conditions of asylum seekers quickly improve.
coalition parties
Mar 11 '15 11:36
With only a week before the provincial elections, the coalition parties have lost their majority in the Eerste Kamer (Senate) in the latest poll. The VVD and PvdA along with the D66, ChristenUnie and SGP (constructive three) have a total of 33 seats, five to few for a majority.
Feb 26 '15 10:56
A number of opposition parties yesterday tried to get a debate on gas extraction in Groningen and the risks entailed in it on the agenda before the elections, NU reports. This is following the highly critical report by the Dutch Safety Board on the issue, which was published last week.
Feb 16 '15 10:59
The coalition parties lost three seats in Maurice de Hond's weekly polls, leaving them with virtually 29 seats just before the provincial election in March.
Dec 4 '14 09:08
To the surprise of the VVD, the PvdA does not want to extract any shale gas in the Netherlands until the end of this term of government. PvdA leader Diederik Samson announced this during a debate in the Second Chamber last night.
Nov 26 '14 14:21
If the elections were held today, the coalition of the VVD and PvdA would lose the majority in the Senate. This is according to a survey done by EenVandaag.
Nov 10 '14 11:13
The Council of Europe has chastised the Netherlands. According to the council, the government must also see to the needs of failed asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants.
Sep 10 '14 11:16
Figures from the new budget, which is set to be publicly announced on Prinsjesdag, 16 September, have been leaked to the Dutch media. MPs are calling it 'contempt' and an 'insult', RTL Nieuws reports.
Aug 27 '14 09:15
Next year, the health insurance premium for a basic package will go up with €10 a month. According to sources from the Algemeen Dagblad around the budget talks, the mandatory own risk insurance will also rise per year.
Jul 4 '14 09:24
Coalition party VVD has said that the jobs plan presented by labour unions earlier this week is an "idiotic" plan that destroys jobs, and is therefore unspeakable. VVD-faction president Halbe Zijlstra says in an interview with De Telegraaf that the PvdA should also take distance from the proposals.
Jun 6 '14 10:41
The Cabinet has signed a deal allowing healthcare insurers to choose whether or not to insure healthcare providers who are not under contract, a law which will be introduced per 2016. Previously, this was mandatory. Coalition parties PvdA and VVD signed with opposition parties D66, ChristenUnie and SGP, De Volkskrant reports.
Apr 16 '14 14:30
Next year, an extra €300 million will be made available for long-term care, the Telegraaf reports. After that, extra the budget will decrease over the years to about €200 million.
