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Netherlands

Netherlands

Best Dutch PM in a crisis? They can’t believe it’s not Rutte

Next week’s elections in the Netherlands will be seen as a test of how voters assess their government’s performances in the Covid crisis. Four years ago, the world watched the Dutch elections – among the first major votes after the Brexit referendum and election of Donald Trump – for a clue to whether the anti-European, populist right was poised for a […]

Netherlands

MONDO EUROPE: Dire dryer decision goes down like a house on fire

STEVE ANGLESEY brings you some of the recent stories you might have missed from the continent. A man who used a blow-dryer to thaw a frozen water pipe set his home in southwest Germany on fire, causing 300,000 euro (£262,000) worth of damage. Police in Kämpfelbach-Ersingen said they believed the dryer had been left unattended […]

Netherlands

There’s no time for pessimism from pro-Europeans

A route to rejoining the EU is possible, says reader Mark Sullivan. Judging from your readers’ letters, they are being too pessimistic on our rejoining the EU. Just because you can’t see the immediate pathway unfolding, doesn’t reduce the inevitability of market forces which resolutely point to this conclusion. How many commentators for example predicted […]

Netherlands

Boris Johnson should follow Mark Rutte’s example in taking responsibility for pandemic

The prime minister of the Netherlands took responsibility for his government’s mistakes. Boris Johnson says he takes full responsibility for our 100,000 Covid deaths. Robert Jenrick says he’s proud of the many things the government has achieved in response to the pandemic. Really? Let’s just list a few of the arrant failures: to heed the […]

Netherlands

Dutch government resign after tax officials wrongly accused thousands of fraud

The whole of the Dutch cabinet has stepped down over a scandal in which tax officials wrongly accused thousands of parents of fraud, plunging many into debt by ordering them to repay childcare allowances. Prime minister Mark Rutte has opposed dissolving the coalition, arguing Netherlands needed stability amid the coronavirus pandemic. The four ruling parties […]

Netherlands

Dutch officials confiscate ham sandwiches from UK visitors over Brexit rules

Border officials in the Netherlands have confiscated ham sandwiches and other food items from UK travellers due to post-Brexit rules. Dutch TV network NPO filmed customs patrols explaining to arrivals that they cannot take meat or dairy products into the EU. One driver who arrived by ferry at the Hook of Holland sea port was […]