Remember last January, when the Dutch cabinet seemed really set on making the Royal Family pay income tax? Well, it’s all in the past: Prime Minister Schoof has announced that he has no plans to do such a thing.
Schoof declared his unwillingness to set the plan into motion during a session of parliamentary questions about the King’s budget, reports the RTL.
It seemed like a done deal
Schoof’s statement came as a surprise: in January, the House of Representatives had passed a motion to amend the constitution to scrap the Royal Family’s exemption from income tax.
The motion wasn’t enough to make it into law yet, as a majority vote of two-thirds of the parliament is needed to change the constitution — however, for the first time in years, this looked achievable.
The motion, proposed by D66’s politician Joost Sneller, had garnered the support of the PVV, NSC, and BBB, which at the time were poised to enter the new government coalition.
Why is the plan scrapped, then?
Schoof has cited two reasons why he “sees no reason to put a proposal into procedure.”
First, he thinks it is unnecessary “from the perspective of stability of the finances of the Royal House” — what about their subjects’ financial stability?
Secondly, he is unsure about whether the proposal would have the necessary majority support in parliament.
To be fair, things have changed quite a bit since January in that department: two out of the four parties in the current coalition, the VVD and BBB, have expressed doubts about the proposal.
The deal, then, is far from done — the King can let out a sigh of royal relief. 😮💨
What do you think of Schoof’s statement? You can express your peasant thoughts in the comments below — for free!
Are you relocating your fluffy best friend with you to the Netherlands? Well, prepare for some good planning and a pile of paperwork.
To make matters even more complicated, regulations differ if you are travelling from an EU or a non-EU country. But don’t fret, we’ve got everything you need to know about relocating your pet to the Netherlands.
But remember: it’s all worth it! Every pet owner knows that any home is incomplete if your dog doesn’t greet you at the door or your cat doesn’t cover you in hair. 🐱
He really is a (wo)mans best friend! Image: Depositphotos
If you live in an EU member state, relocating your pet to the Netherlands is still a lot of work — but a bit less. The following points apply to cats, dogs and ferrets in particular.
First things first, your pet must have its EU pet passport (cute) issued by a veterinarian and receive a microchip. The pet’s passport is both a certificate of health and proof that the pet is protected against various diseases.
Also, the animal has to be at least 15 weeks old to be relocated. If you vaccinate your animal, you must wait 21 days before moving. They’re also pretty strict on rabies — all animals older than 3 months must be vaccinated against them.
The pet also has to go through treatment against the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis. For this, the pet must be treated not more than 120 hours and no less than 24 hours before the time of entry into the Netherlands. Essentially, you’ll be very busy the days before you leave.
Despite the restriction of exotic and endangered species (which you shouldn’t even own), other animals such as rabbits, small rodents and birds do not fall under any regulations like cats, dogs and ferrets. YAY, you can bring your hamster without the hassle of bureaucracy! 🐹
The process might seem similar to relocating EU pets, but non-EU pets involve a bit more bureaucracy. The pet must also have a microchip and be vaccinated against rabies before 12 weeks old, as well as treated for parasites.
However, other extra tests are involved like a rabies antibody titration test. All very scientific and complex — meaning pricey vet bills and lots of time to be invested.
In addition, a vet has to issue a health certificate for your pet, which includes the code on the microchip, vaccination details, blood sampling details and details of the treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis.
Good to know: UK pet owners will now have additional steps in the process of bringing their furry friend to the Netherlands.
Flying to the Netherlands
It is important to choose the right airline company as rules on transporting pets differ whilst relocating your pet to the Netherlands. On flights less than 10 hours, most airlines allow you to take one small pet with you in the cabin.
For pets flying in cargo, you should purchase a travelling container that is ventilated and spacious. You can actually purchase a kennel at Schiphol starting at €60 (this is not available at Rotterdam Airport or Eindhoven Airport).
Again, details mostly depend on the airline chosen. For example, Transavia charges €45 for you to take your pet with you into the cabin. However, the pet must be in a carrier or kennel and stowed away under your seat.
Your pet can also go in the cargo hold with Transavia for €70 in a kennel that has to meet the legal requirements of IATA (International Air Transport Association).
With KLM, regulations are essentially the same, however, fees fluctuate from €30 to €200, depending on the destination.
Also, if your pet is travelling as check-in baggage and the transfer at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol lasts 2 hours or longer, a fee of €200 is charged to cover the animal’s care during this period. Wow — pet care is expensive! 😅
Moving is not the same without your furry friend by your side. Image: Freepik
Good to know: It’s also important to take care of your pet’s emotional needs, according to moving.com. As several animals experience travelling anxiety, you should try to de-stress your pet prior to the flight.
It’s also important to maintain a routine the weeks before the flight, like feeding and walking times. Give your pet some extra love and attention in the days leading up, as well!
Also, make sure your pet is comfortable in the container you purchased for the cargo, by letting your pet get accustomed to it for at least five days.
Having a pet in the Netherlands
Now, once you’re here, there are some good things to know about having a pet in the lowlands.
For the Dutch, their pets are their babies. The Netherlands is extremely animal-friendly, making it the perfect place to bring your pet! Pets are treated like people, essentially.
Dogs of any size are allowed on public transport including trams, metro, buses, and trains. Most hotels will even cater to dogs and restaurants. You’ll rarely ever see a “no dogs allowed” sign, as opposed to other European countries.
What’s more, there are plenty of amazing dog parks in the Netherlands and some are even off-leash where your pet can run around freely. The Netherlands even has dog beaches. Your pet will feel right at home! 🐶
Time to play catch! Image: Freepik
Dog Tax
A number of Dutch municipalities charge an annual hondenbelasting or dog tax. The price for the tax varies on the number of dogs you own and the municipality where you reside. In 2021, the highest dog tax was charged in Groningen with €133 per dog.
Around 30 municipalities have actually scrapped this dog tax as several see it as unfair since cat owners are not charged a fee. If you’re moving to Amsterdam, you’re in luck! As of 2016, the City of Amsterdam does not charge dog tax.
There are plenty of veterinary clinics in the Netherlands, make sure to choose the one you like the most! Ask around your neighbourhood for a good dierenarts (veterinarian) or take a look at the official association of Dutch vets.
In case of emergency, you can call an animal ambulance:
Amsterdam — 020 626 2121
The Hague — 070 328 2828
Leiden — 071 517 4141
Rotterdam — 010 415 5666
Utrecht — 030 273 1600
Find a vet you and your pet are comfortable with! Image: Freepik
Pet Insurance
Don’t forget to purchase some pet insurance! This is a must for owning a pet anywhere. It will help cover high costs in case of unexpected medical suffering and preventive care, such as vaccinations. Finding the right pet insurance is like finding the right veterinarian, really up to you.
Fortunately, there is plenty to choose from in the Netherlands. Below are some pet insurance services in the Netherlands. Most of these pet insurance websites allow you to calculate how much insurance would cost (depending on the age of the pet and other details).
The Dutch love to spoil their pets! You’re in the right place for all kinds of pet services, including pet sitting, walking and grooming. Pet sitting services are widely available and can come in handy when you have to go away and leave your pet.
Companies like Pawshake and Petnb map services and dog sitters near you! With Dogbuddy, you get these services and the dog sitter even sends you photo and video updates of your pet. However, Dogbuddy is only available in Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague.
Missing pet
Does anything hurt more than having a pet runaway? If it happens in the Netherlands, however, chances are you’ll get your pet back!
To start, you can report your missing pet to the national chip database and make sure to call your local pound. Another way is by asking around your neighbourhood or sharing on social media. If none of this works, call one of the lost pet lines below to report your pet missing.
Amsterdam — 020 470 5000
Groningen — 050 525 2697
The Hague — 070 366 1806
Rotterdam — 010 437 4211
Utrecht — 030 251 3372
Leiden — 071 517 4141
Are you relocating your pet to the Netherlands? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
Thinking of setting up shop in the Netherlands? Great choice! But before you start googling “Houses Amsterdam,” let’s consider some other Dutch cities that could be the perfect (and considerably less pricey) backdrop to your new home.
We know, we know, Amsterdam is great. It’s got those gorgeous canals, the laid-back atmosphere, and it’s well connected, but as anyone who lives in this country can tell you — so do many cities in the Netherlands! In fact, they can offer all of the above and more.
Let’s look at the top cities in the Netherlands to live in and why they’re a great option for house-hunting internationals. 👇
The Hague is in the middle of it all, whether it be the Randstad or Dutch politics. Not only is The Hague a central city in itself, but it also offers easy access to some of the Netherlands’ largest cities — as well as the Dutch coastline!
It’s a 55-minute drive to Amsterdam, 35 minutes to Schiphol Airport, and just 25 minutes to Rotterdam.
The Hague is a firm favourite among internationals in the Netherlands — and mortgage experts! Image: Freepik
You can think of The Hague as a city where you can have the best of both worlds. This is a great option for international home seekers who are caught between wanting to live in a modern city setting or a typical Dutch neighbourhood — The Hague offers both!
Being a large international city that also happens to be near the coastline, The Hague offers the possibility to combine living, working, shopping, surfing, eating out, all into one day!
Of course, we understand that the asking price is also an important factor when it comes to choosing where you’re going to live — but we’re not afraid of talking numbers. 💪
There is a limited price difference between housing types. For an apartment, buyers pay an average of €4,410 per m² and for a house, it is €4,570 per m². The price per m² has increased by an average of 16% compared to Q1 2023.
What’s the average price for a house in The Hague? As of June 2024, the average purchase price for a single-family home stands at €675,000, while the average purchase price for an apartment is €364,000.
2. Rotterdam: for big city vibes, without big city prices
If you know that a big, buzzing, and modern city is the place for you, then Rotterdam is the perfect Dutch city to call your home.
Unlike Amsterdam — or any other Dutch city for that matter — Rotterdam offers a completely different aesthetic compared to the rest of the Netherlands.
There’s a lot of variety in this city, and not just in cultures and food hotspots.
The inner city, was bombed flat during World War II, and has been completely rebuilt by the people of Rotterdam. It is a city with modern and international allure.
You actually feel it when walking through the centre; one moment you’re in between the most modern architecture, the next moment you find yourself surrounded with cute little hidden historical places.
It offers a beautiful mix of old buildings and a breathtaking skyline on the river Maas River. The flags on the Maas boulevard indicate how many nationalities live in this city!
The attraction towards Rotterdam has grown in recent years, which means house prices have grown with it.
What’s the average price for a house in Rotterdam?In June 2024, the average asking price for a house in Rotterdam stands at €391,000. This is an attractive price if you compare it to cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht, where prices are considerably higher.
3. Utrecht: If you want a buzzing city, but not as buzzing as Amsterdam
We all love that Amsterdam buzz, but if you’re looking to live somewhere in the Netherlands that has good, classic Dutch vibes without the intensity of being a world-famous tourist hotspot, Utrecht is a solid option.
Utrecht is a very beautiful city to live in, with the gorgeous and unique canals in the city center that you can walk along below.
In Utrecht you can live more quietly — and with more space — than in Amsterdam.
The square meter price is also lower than in Amsterdam, and on top of this, many homes in Utrecht are located on private land, so in most cases there’s no lease hold applicable.
Think Amsterdam — but not Amsterdam. Image: Depositphotos
While Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands, it still offers cosy village vibes and an escape from urban life.
If you take public transport, within 10 to 15 minutes, you can be in the countryside with forests and plenty of green space. So if you like the vibe of a booming city but still want to have the possibility to be within a couple of minutes in the countryside, Utrecht is the place to be!
What’s the average price for a house in Utrecht? Many people have come to realise that Utrecht is a gem of a city to live in — which means that housing prices are on the rise. As of June 2024, housing prices have risen to an average asking price of €519.035.
4. Almere: a city quite literally built for you
If you’re looking for a city that doesn’t just offer housing but was quite literally built for people to move into, allow us to introduce Almere.
The youngest Dutch city in the Netherlands, Almere has been creative in its approach to architecture.
If you want a home that is hip and modern — but also based in an extremely Dutch setting (how much more Dutch can you get than living on a polder), Almere is the perfect city.
Almere offers even more than beautiful houses. Image: Unsplash
It doesn’t just offer a multicultural and diverse city life, it also has something for nature lovers.
Oostvaardersplassen is a beautiful and unique nature park. You have different beaches for sunbathing, but you can be active and take up sailing, SUPping, and windsurfing.
What’s the average price for a house in Almere? Almere is quite the hidden gem at the moment, with housing prices sitting at an average asking price of €471,082 as of June 2024.
5. Eindhoven: an international hub in the Netherlands
If you’re looking to enjoy an international lifestyle in the Netherlands, then we would suggest finding a home in Eindhoven. This buzzing city found outside the Randstad is home to many internationals in the lowlands.
This is because a wide array of international companies (such as Philips and ASML) are based here. You’ll also find many startups in this area, especially in tech.
On top of this, Eindhoven has a well-known cultural scene with a lot of events, museums, theaters, and music venues. The city’s annual events, such as the Dutch Design Week, attract international attention and offer plenty of opportunities for networking.
Because Eindhoven houses 165 different nationalities, there are a lot of services for expats to feel at home, including expat centres, networking events, and language courses.
All these resources make the transition to living and working in Eindhoven smoother and more enjoyable.
One final pro for internationals living in this city is that it actually has its own airport! Perfect for the frequent flyer or a nice weekend trip home.
What’s the average price for a house in Eindhoven? While you may think this is the perfect recipe for Amsterdam-level housing prices, this isn’t the case! The average asking price in June 2024 stands at €404,000.
6. Groningen: A historic but young city
Looking to live somewhere that makes you feel like you’re steeped in history but not suffocated by it?
Groningen’s beautiful old city is filled with a population that consists of 25% students! This composition makes it an old city with hip, young vibes.
Groningen is becoming an increasingly popular city in the Netherlands. Image: Unsplash
With all the expats and internationals in the city, you can easily speak English in many shops and restaurants, and international foods and customs are gradually becoming part of city life.
All in all, it is a friendly, welcoming city and this is recognised by more and more people.
What’s the average price for a house in Groningen? As of June 2024, the average transaction price has risen from €312,487 to €323,901, while the average transaction price per square meter has gone from €3,253 to €3,404.
7. Maastricht: for the avid traveller looking for a home
If you’re looking to settle down — but not too much — Maastricht is definitely worth considering. If you opt to buy yourself a house in Maastricht, you don’t have to worry about being too committed to life in the Netherlands.
The burgundian lifestyle of the south is right on your doorstep, with Belgium just around the corner and France only two hours away.
Think of Maastricht as a city with a touch of France. Image: Freepik
Want to work in Germany? No problem. Spend your weekends in Belgium? Also no problem. Not only does this close proximity influence your lifestyle — but also the architecture!
The city boasts a unique aesthetic that is both Dutch and… German? French? Belgian? Depends on where you’re looking!
If you like older cities with their laidback centres and lots of restaurants, this is the place to be.
What’s the average price for a house in Maastricht? Maastricht is also a great option for those who are seeking something a bit more affordable. As of June 2024, the average housing price stands at €375,500.
Ready to take the plunge and buy a house in the Netherlands? We know you are! Enjoy your new life living it up in the lowlands. 😉
How have you experienced living outside of Amsterdam? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Good news for parents in the Netherlands! The Dutch cabinet has announced that as of January 2025, families earning between €29,400 and €159,200 will see cuts to the cost of childcare.
How? It’s all thanks to a higher childcare allowance, which could save parents with a middle income up to an extra €1,000 a year.
For the government, this is the first step in their plan to introduce completely free childcare by 2027.
Ok, but how much will my family save?
In the Netherlands, the childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) works like this: you pay the full cost of childcare, and then the government will give you an allowance to help cover it.
Just how much childcare allowance you receive depends on a number of factors, such as how many children you have, whether both parents are working, and how much you earn.
In turn, how much you stand to benefit from the higher childcare allowance also depends on these factors.
However, according to a press release by the Dutch government, families with a middle income will benefit the most.
The government offers examples to help paint the picture:
“For example, a family with one child in daycare and a combined income of €45,000 will currently receive back 87.3% of the costs up to the maximum hourly rate.”
However, by 2025, this will increase to 96% of the costs.
Who will save up to €1,000 a year?
According to Nu.nl, the below family will save close to €1,000 in 2025:
Let’s say we have two working parents earning a gross income of €63,100. They have two kids who are both in childcare.
In this case, they will receive an extra €994 back in childcare allowance next year.
Does this mean you can purchase a holiday home in the Swiss Alps? Not exactly, but it is a step in the right direction.
What do you think of this increase? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Last night, a man spoiled the closing show of the Weert fair in Limburg by setting off illegal fireworks that left several people with hearing problems — the investigation is ongoing.
A 25-year-old suspect from Sittard-Geelen, also in Limburg, has been arrested, the police report.
A loud bang
Dutchies’ complicated love-hate relationship with fireworks is well-documented, and last night was a prime example.
As the crowd enjoyed the final moments of the traditional fireworks show concluding the Weert fair, somebody decided that the situation called for even more fireworks — of the illegal kind.
The bang was incredibly loud, and people started screaming.
Initially, everyone thought that something went wrong with the actual fireworks show, but nope —the rogue firework was the work of an irresponsible young man.
Way to spoil the festive mood!
Hearing loss
After the incident, eight people reported hearing problems, and more are expected to come forward with similar complaints.
The police, who are still investigating, have asked witnesses to come forward with information or injury reports by calling 0900-8844 or, for an anonymous report, 0800-7000.
No, you’re not dyslexic or drug crazy; that sign on Rotterdam’s Coolsingel does, in fact, read “Cokesingel.” And yes, Emmalaan is now MDMA-laaan— and yes, this was all sanctioned by the Rotterdam municipality.
Why? You may be wondering.
Taking to LinkedIn, Rotterdam’s municipality writes that 11 of the city’s street names “have been temporarily changed in order to confront everyone with the harsh reality that drug use has far-reaching consequences.”
That must have been a fun team meeting
The post goes on to list the creative ways that the city’s street names have been reimagined in the name of drugs — and it doesn’t disappoint:
Original name
Drugified name
Coolsingel
Cokesingel
Laan op Zuid
Lijn op Zuid (line op Zuid)
Rakstraat
Nakstraat (a synonym for using cocaine)
West-Kruiskade
West-Snuifkade (snuff)
Emmalaan
MDMA-laan
Burgemeester Oudlaan
Burgemeester Out-laan (passing out)
Wijnhaven
Lijnhaven
Zuidplein
Snuifplein
Ketenstraat
Ketastraat (Ketamine)
Groene Hilledijk
Groene Pillendijk
Peppelweg
Pepweg (Speed)
There’s just one problem…
While the action is certainly…innovative, it has been met with an immediate problem: several of the signs were stolen within just three hours of being placed there.
The plan was for the signs to remain up around the city for two weeks.
However, according to RTV Rijnmond, young students are seeing this as an opportunity to have a great new fixture in their bedrooms or kitchens.
Speaking with RTV Rijnmond, a municipal worker says, “We expect they will become collector’s items.”
However, others are more critical of the stunt, questioning whether the signs have drawn attention to the issue of drugs in the city — or simply the normalisation of drug use in Rotterdam.
What do you think of this stunt? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
In 1974, an English farmer had his precious Rolex eaten by a cow. Now, 50 years later, the watch found its way back to him, thanks to the incredible restoration work of a team of Dutch watchmakers.
Mr Steele, now 95 years old, was “emotional and delighted” to be reunited with his prized possession, writes RTL Nieuws.
A long journey
Fifty years ago, when farmer James Steele lost his beloved two-decades-old watch in the English countryside of Shropshire, he was devastated.
After frantically searching up and down the meadow, he eventually gave up and went on with his life.
Meanwhile, the Rolex had just embarked on its long journey back to him. Its first stop? Into a cow’s mouth, of course. 🐮
After a perilous trip through the animal’s intestines, the watch saw the light again and landed in the pasture, where it took a half-a-century break from its travels. 🌱
When a passerby’s metal detector picked it up in June 2024, it was a rusty mess.
Steele, who was just happy to have it back, would have probably kept it anyway. However, the watch had other plans: it resumed its journey, this time headed for Grootschermer in the Netherlands.
An remar-cow-ble job
The Rolex’s Dutch detour was prompted by Steele’s granddaughter, who came across the work of watchmaker Kalle Slaap and his team on Youtube, and asked for their help.
The team, known as the “Chronoglide Watchmakers”, is famous for its crazy watch restoration projects — needless to say, they gladly took on the challenge.
It took over 160 hours of work, but eventually, they restored the Rolex’s looks and functions to its pre-ingestion glory.
A mooving reunion
Once the watch was restored, Slaap and his team travelled all the way to Britain to give it back to Mr Steele — which made for “the day of his life”, as RTL Nieuws writes.
There’s more: on top of telling the time again, the watch might now also be able to prolong it.
According to Steele’s children, the reunion has energised the 95-year-old, who suddenly looks much younger. “I think I can live to be 100,” Mr Steele quipped.
Which long-lost object would you like to find again in your 90s? It’s about time you told us… in the comments below!
If the sight of your monthly train bill has your wallet wincing in pain, the good news is that you’re not alone! The bad news? Err… well, you may want to read on. 👇
A study commissioned by the Dutch Mobility Alliance shows that transport costs have skyrocketed by nearly 30% from 2015 to 2023, making it hard for households to keep up — even for ones on an average income.
Mobility costs can hit an eye-watering €900
Research by Nibud, a Dutch institute for budget education, reveals that transport costs can range anywhere from €200 to a truly staggering €900.
Many households on an average income, therefore, are required to drastically cut down on their spending in an attempt to pay their transport bills.
What is the average income in the Netherlands?
The CPB (or Dutch Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis) states that the median gross household income is around €70,000. Between 30% and 40% of households have an income that is equal to or lower than this amount.
According to Nibud, this process can involve purchasing goods of a lower price and quality, or buying fewer products altogether (such as cancelling subscriptions or no longer going on vacation) — resulting in “negative consequences for their livelihood, health and freedom to travel.”
Goodbye Netflix, it’s time to pay my tram fare! 🙃 Image: Freepik
In the words of Marga de Jager, president of the Mobility Alliance, “large groups of Dutch people can no longer afford this [transport costs] and increasingly have to make difficult trade-offs.”
What are some possible solutions?
If (like us!) you’re dead keen on keeping those wallet-draining bills at a somewhat affordable level, you’ll be curious to know what possible solutions have been floated.
At present, the Mobility Alliance has outlined three directions that individuals and officials can take to resolve the issue:
Make better use of options for travel reimbursement
Shorten travel distances by bringing work and living facilities closer
Create a clearer overview of mobility costs
What do you think needs to be done about the rising transport costs? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Let op, this is not fake news! Dutch companies Philips and Ahold Delhaize donated thousands of dollars to the campaigns of 26 US Congress members who deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election results.
The Congresspeople might say the 2020 election results were fake, but the money they received from Dutch companies is very real.
At least that’s what an investigation carried out by NRC and US non-profit Donations and Democracy reveals.
Which companies are implicated?
The investigation analysed data regarding donations made between 2021 and 2024 by the ten biggest Dutch companies operating in the US.
It found that a whopping seven of them provided financial support to a total of 26 Republican Congresspeople who, after the January 6th 2021 storming of the US Capitol, voted against the 2020 election results.
Naturally, this is a position that has been widely regarded as anti-democratic.
While most of these companies only operate in the US, two of them are household names in the Dutch business environment: electronics giant Philips, and Ahold Delhaize, the parent company owning, among others, Albert Heijn.
Who donated what, exactly?
As it turns out, over the last three years, Philips donated $76,000 to anti-democratic Congresspeople, especially ones involved in parliamentary committees on healthcare, oversight, and taxes. 😬
This includes, for example, $4,000 to the current House of Representatives Republican leader, Steve Scalise, who has called the 2020 election result “undemocratic”, voted against investigating the Capitol storming, and spread fake news about votes being hidden in desk drawers.
In the same period, Ahold donated $20,500, mainly to parliamentarians from states where it has supermarkets, but also to House Speaker Mike Johnson, who the New York Times has defined as “the main architect” of the election results’ undermining.
Companies deny responsibility
Both companies maintain that they had no direct control over the donations, which were voluntary personal initiatives from their American employees.
They have a point: according to US law, companies cannot directly make campaign donations, but they can do so by supporting certain Political Action Committees (PACs).
While they can’t directly donate money to PACs either, they can support their activities in other ways, such as by paying for their rent and operations expenses, or their employees’ salaries.
More importantly, companies often nominate members to the PAC board, which collects the individual employees’ donations and decides how to distribute them among candidates.
For instance, the treasurer of the PAC making donations in Ahold’s interests is… a well-known Ahold lobbyist. Philips, in turn, has evaded questions regarding the workings of the PAC making donations in its interest.
What do you think of Dutch companies donating to US politicians with anti-democratic tendencies? Let us know in the comments below.
What’s the craziest thing you ever did as a kid? Steal some candy? Read under the covers while you were meant to be sleeping? Well, we’re sure you won’t be able to top this Dutch boy’s adventure.
In The Hague, an eight-year-old boy decided to skip the usual bike ride last weekend and instead grabbed the keys to his parents’ car. His destination? A friend’s house. His passenger? His younger sister.
As Omroep West writes, the young driver was eventually stopped because a fellow motorist called 112 when she noticed a car swerving along the streets.
Child seat for better visibility
Before calling the politie, the witness followed the car for a while, suspicious of the unpredictable driving.
While doing so, she saw two near-misses with a ditch. “It was such a bizarre sight,” she recalls in an interview with Omroep West. 😳
Eventually, the young boy stopped the car along the side of the road — and can you guess why?
He was going to place a child seat in the driver’s seat for better visibility.
That’s when the witness stopped him, and police arrived on the scene.
A happy ending
Once the children were safely reunited with their parents, their mother assured local news that her son would no longer have access to the car key.
“[They keys are] now safely stored in a place he’ll never reach,” she said.
Though the incident could have easily ended in disaster, everyone walked away unharmed. Now, all the boy is left with is a crazy story to tell during drinking games later in life. 😉
In a light-hearted conclusion, the police advised the young driver: “Sweet boy, next time, take the bike if you want to meet with your friend.”
What’s the craziest thing you did as a child? Share your story in the comments.
