Europe & EU

Germany, the Netherlands and Nordic countries unite in 'frugal alliance' against Brussels' €2 trillion EU budget

Leaders of Austria, Denmark, Germany and Finland in Berlin today. / photo: BKA

A powerful bloc of northern European countries is hardening its opposition to Brussels' plans for a nearly €2 trillion EU budget, setting the stage for one of the most consequential political battles of the coming months. Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and the Nordic countries coordinate their positions ahead of crunch negotiations. Read on for the full story and analysis.

Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague.
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The Netherlands keeps blocking next step in Serbia’s EU accession process

The Netherlands is refusing to back a new step in Serbia’s path towards European Union membership, despite renewed discussions on enlargement at a meeting of EU foreign ministers earlier this month. During talks with Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos on the sidelines of the informal Gymnich meeting, Dutch Foreign Minister

Dutch minister Sjoerdsma announces millions in aid for Sudan and refugees in Chad

The Dutch government is expanding its response to Sudan's war, pledging additional funding for refugees in Chad and humanitarian aid while arguing that instability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region is increasingly relevant to Europe. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month

How AI-generated posts revived Rob Jetten’s 'Robot Jetten' problem

The Dutch prime minister has brushed off revelations that hundreds of social media posts linked to him and D66 were generated with artificial intelligence. But the controversy risks reopening a vulnerability that Rob Jetten has spent years trying to overcome: the perception that he is polished, scripted and not entirely

Tensions between The Hague and Freetown over drug lord 'Bolle Jos' as Sierra Leone accuses Dutch minister of 'neo-colonialism'

Diplomatic tensions between the Netherlands and Sierra Leone have escalated after Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel publicly renewed pressure on Freetown to hand over convicted drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, better known as “Bolle Jos”. What was intended as a push to accelerate years of stalled cooperation has instead triggered

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The Netherlands keeps blocking next step in Serbia’s EU accession process

Dutch minister Sjoerdsma announces millions in aid for Sudan and refugees in Chad

How AI-generated posts revived Rob Jetten’s 'Robot Jetten' problem

Tensions between The Hague and Freetown over drug lord 'Bolle Jos' as Sierra Leone accuses Dutch minister of 'neo-colonialism'