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Record number of women to be in the new Dutch cabinet

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Record number of women to be in the new Dutch cabinet

All the political ladies, put your hands up! The new Dutch cabinet will have a record number of women.

The new Dutch cabinet will see 14 female ministers out of 29 and 10 female secretaries of state out of 20 total, reports Al Jazeera.

This is a record number of females in the cabinet for the Netherlands — though unfortunately, there’s still no female Prime Minister. 🙄

The new cabinet, with Mark Rutte as Prime Minister (again), will be officially sworn in on January 10.

Let’s meet (some of) the ladies

The new Minister of Justice and Security will be Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, who was born in Ankara and moved to the Netherlands as a child.

She is part of Rutte’s centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). On May 25, 2021, she was appointed as State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

A familiar face, Sigrid Kaag from Democrats 66 (D66), will be the new Finance Minister. 💸 She is known mostly as a former Arabic-speaking diplomat, having worked for the United Nations and overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.

Kaag is replacing Wopke Hoekstra, who will now become the new Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Another familiar face, Kasja Ollongren, will switch positions from Minister of Interior and Kingdom Relations to Minister of Defence.

The new minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation will be Liesje Schreinemacher (VVD). She has been a member of the European Parliament since 2019.

What do you think about the record number of women in the Dutch cabinet? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Husky/Wikimedia Commons/CC 4.0

KLM ranked the second safest airline in 2021

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
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KLM ranked the second safest airline in 2021

Here’s some good news to kick off the new year. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was ranked the second safest airline in the world in 2021. 🥳

The only airline that topped KLM was Emirates, shows research by the Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre.

While the United Arab Emirates airline scored 95.05 percent on the JACDEC Safety Risk Index, KLM scored 93.31 percent, reports the AD. This index compares the world’s biggest airlines by over 30 key parameters.

The results of the study are published in the aviation magazine Aero International every year. So who made the top five in 2021?

  • 1. Emirates (UAE)
  • 2. KLM (the Netherlands)
  • 3. JetBlue (US)
  • 4. Delta Air Lines (US)
  • 5. EasyJet (Switzerland)

Safest in Europe

KLM’s success doesn’t end with the world ranking though. The Dutch airline was chosen as the safest one in Europe and its subsidiary — Transavia — came in fourth.

READ MORE | Flying solo: a parent’s tips for travelling from the Netherlands alone with the kids

The second and the third spot were snatched by Finnair and Air Europa, respectively.

Because of the pandemic, there was, unsurprisingly, less flying last year. Airline crashes and incidents from the past were, therefore, weighed more heavily than usual.

At the same time, some airlines — like Austrian Airlines or Eurowings — didn’t make the list at all because they didn’t have enough passenger kilometres.

What do you think of KLM’s success? Let us know in the comments!

Image: dragunov/Depositphotos

Violent (and illegal) coronavirus protest in Amsterdam leads to 31 arrests

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Violent (and illegal) coronavirus protest in Amsterdam leads to 31 arrests

Yesterday, at least 10,000 people protested against the hard lockdown at Amsterdams’ Museumplein, leading to 31 arrests and four wounded police officers.

The Dutch government had banned the protest earlier that week on Thursday, reports the NOS. Reasons were concerns regarding adherence to standing coronavirus measures and potential outbreaks of violence — some protestors said online that they would bring weapons.

Just a “coffee date”

To sidestep the banning of the protest, the event was advertised online as ‘coffee-drinking’ (het koffie drinken), reports De Telegraaf.

Unfortunately, the atmosphere didn’t turn out as chipper as implied. The police made 31 arrests for different reasons: causing civil unrest, failure to identify oneself to the police, violence against the police, and possession of weaponry.

When protestors tried to break through a police blockade, four police officers and an unreported number of protestors got injured.

Round two

After a couple of hours, protestors dispersed to join a registered protest in Westerpark. Despite that, the police declared the Museumplein an ‘unsafe zone’ (veligheidsrisicogebied) until 11 PM.

Organizers have announced a second protest on January 16.

What are your thoughts on the protest? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: Joeppoulssen/Depositphotos

Missing LEGO statue of André Hazes found in Friesland

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Missing LEGO statue of André Hazes found in Friesland

The kidnappers in the André Hazes LEGO case were finally identified as De Geitefok, a New Year’s Eve association from the Frisian village of Oldeberkoop.

The LEGO figure of the late Dutch artists disappeared last week from Amsterdam with a note that said: “Corona threw a spanner in the works. André now has time for another performance.”

It turns out that the stunt kidnapping came with an intent by the group to draw attention to the coronavirus crisis in the Netherlands, which we’ve been dealing with for nearly two years now, according to NU.nl.

Luckily, the statue is safe and sound — or so it appears from the tweet on the association’s official account, with members surrounding Hazes left and right, and a promise to return him to Dam Square soon.

Famous kidnappers

This New Year stunt isn’t De Geitefok’s first. The group previously stole the Olympic rings from the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.

Additionally, they also went after a memorabilia item (a large ball) from the Royal Dutch Football Association. All items were restored neatly.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook and Instagram for the latest and weirdest news from the Netherlands!

Feature Image: PhotographerFromAmsterdam/DepositPhotos

Firecrackers thrown at Dutch police and firefighters: here’s what went down on NYE

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
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Firecrackers thrown at Dutch police and firefighters: here’s what went down on NYE

Dutch media report that New Year’s Eve was relatively calm in the lowlands this year, but what does this translate to in practice?

The riot police were called to several locations — primarily because other officers and emergency workers were pelted with firecrackers and other objects, according to the NOS.

In Groningen, the riot police had to give a helping hand to firefighters in action as the rioters were throwing firecrackers at them while they were just, you know, putting out fires. 🙂

A similar thing happened in Rotterdam, where the firefighters had to withdraw for a moment from extinguishing a fire in a school building due to the unrest.

In the capital, thousands gathered at the Dam Square for New Year’s celebrations. Police were called to disperse the crowd — but also here, they were pelted with firecrackers. In Amsterdam Nieuw-West, people were even throwing stones at police officers.

Unrest across the country

It wasn’t just the big cities that experienced unrest, however. In the village of Bovensmilde in Drenthe, rioters resorted to using heavy fireworks and throwing stones. 🧨

In Friesland, the riot police had to intervene at four different locations. They were forced to use tear gas in the village of Buurdaard, where a large group of people threw heavy fireworks at the police and wouldn’t respond to repeated requests by the police to leave. The situation still wasn’t resolved at 5 AM. 😧

In another Frisian village — Tzummarum — rioters were throwing firecrackers and bottles. One officer was injured because an object hit his head.

The south of the Netherlands wasn’t more peaceful than this. In Arnemuiden, Zeeland, the police arrested a number of people after they set things on fire and caused other destruction.

More emergency calls

Dutch emergency services received around 4,600 phone calls last night. This is 10 percent more than on New Year’s Eve of 2020, reports RTL Nieuws.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news and coronavirus updates.

Image: PhotographerFromAmsterdam/Depositphotos

New Years Eve unrest: thousands gathered at Dam Square

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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New Years Eve unrest: thousands gathered at Dam Square

Between 3,000-4,000 people gathered in Dam Square last night to celebrate the start of a new year, and the Dutch were having fun the only way they know how — by causing unrest and pissing off the police.

Officers were called to Dam Square after midnight to send people away from Amsterdam’s city centre, reports the NOS.

However, instead of leaving peacefully, some people set off firecrackers and even threw them at the politie. 😱

Several people refused to leave and the police took action against those people through the use of their batons.

Eventually peaceful

However, at around 00:30 AM, most people had already left and by 1 AM, the party was basically over.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #92: Be weirdly pyromaniacal about fireworks

In the end though, the police haven’t reported any arrests from the gathering.

Feature Image: Foto-VDW/Depositphotos

Alas! The Rutte IV cabinet is almost complete

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Alas! The Rutte IV cabinet is almost complete

While you might have thought the Dutch cabinet formation process was finished, the official Rutte IV cabinet has not been fully announced yet.

The list of 29 ministers will be announced this Sunday but sources from The Hague have already confirmed some of their names and positions in this new cabinet, reports the NOS. 😱

Old and new faces

To give you a little recap, Rutte IV is a coalition between VVD (Rutte’s party), Democrats 66 (Sigrid Kaag), Christian Democratic Appeal (Wopke Hoekstra), and ChristenUnie (Gert-Jan Segers).

Many familiar members will return including Kaag, Hoekstra, De Jonge (the current health minister in the Netherlands), and Rutte, of course.

A familiar team

While some names and positions have yet to be confirmed, rumour has it the most important posts will be handed to those who have already enjoyed powerful positions…

For example, while Hugo de Jonge will be stepping down from his position as Minister for Health, he is expected to step into an equally important role as the new Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning. Will he keep the beard for this role? Who knows!

Wopke Hoekstra is expected to make the leap from the Minister of Finance to Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sigrid Kaag will then take on Hoekstra’s former role, becoming Minsiter of Finance.

While it’s not surprising that things are looking very similar for Rutte’s fifth cabinet, some are certainly a bit annoyed by this reshuffle — especially considering the cabinet has spoken of a “new” governing culture.

Not everything is the same

But for those of you who aren’t particularly fond of this coalition, there are still some changes to this cabinet. 🎉

The cabinet will have more VVD women than men in Rutte IV, many of whom were members of parliament — certainly a nice addition. 😌

Rutte IV will also welcome a very young minister — at 31 years old, Maarten van Ooijen will be appointed as the State Secretary for Youth and Prevention.

Of course, nothing is set in stone yet — just brace yourselves for something… very familiar.

What do you think of the leaked minister positions? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. 💭

Feature Image: European People’s Party/Wikimedia Commons/CC2.0

Their last day as a Dutch company: an ode and goodbye to Shell

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Their last day as a Dutch company: an ode and goodbye to Shell

That’s it — today, the Netherlands bids Shell adieu on their last official day as Royal Dutch Shell according to their “simplification” plans.

Shell sure made it a simple and easy transition, like the breath of fresh air you get after slamming the door shut behind someone annoying. Adios, and happy new year. 🎉

And with the company moving their head office from The Hague to London today, and having their first board meeting in the UK as they plan for their new name: Shell plc — it’s a big day for them too.

Our goodbye gift? From DutchReview, this news piece in celebration of their last day as a Dutch probl — we mean company. But others such as GroenLinks can’t just let them leave like that either.

Nu.nl reports that an additional tax assessment for companies that leave the Netherlands for a country without dividend tax (like the UK) is being considered.

Their reasons, our pleasure

As Shell becomes fully British on paper today, let’s look into why. The Anglo-Dutch Shell was apparently suffering under different tax rules, which contributed to their decision in leaving.

According to Shell CEO, Ben van Beurden, the company never had an intention to be administratively present in two countries as it was a temporary construction in 2005 with the assumption that Dutch tax rules be adjusted. Nice try. 😏

READ MORE | Shell taken to court for insufficient action against climate change

This move is more symbolic (and for tax purposes). The Hague office will continue to exist — just no longer as the head office — and other Shell activities will also remain in the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, we’re happy that Shell’s name is no longer Dutch associated so we’re hereby officially locking the door on Shell once and for all. Bye Felicia. 👋

Follow DutchReview on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news from the Netherlands!

Feature Image: huettenhoelscher/Depositphotos

Say what? The Dutch fireworks ban will not be imposed this NYE

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Say what? The Dutch fireworks ban will not be imposed this NYE

Another New Year’s Eve, another supposed fireworks ban — but will the Netherlands really experience a BOOM-less end to 2021?

Well if the Dutch BOAs have anything to do with it, no. Why? Because they won’t have anything to do with it.

BOAs can be thought of as Dutch police who patrol the streets of the Netherlands and make sure everyone is sticking to the outdoor public rules.

Usually, this involves ensuring that no one is setting off fireworks in the middle of the street around this time of year. 💥

More important things to worry about

However, this year, BOAs will be far too busy making sure that people stick to coronavirus rules — meaning the stomping out of fireworks will have to wait.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #92: Be weirdly pyromaniacal about fireworks

With the Netherlands in a nationwide lockdown, many people will be a bit stuck for how to celebrate this year. As a result, BOAs will likely be breaking up large gatherings.

And with a lack of employees, Chairman of the BOA ACP Trade Union, Richard Gerrits, explains to the NOS that “we will enforce what is most important at the moment, namely the coronavirus rules.”

And you know what, fair enough. There are worse things than fireworks — but for the love of Oliebollen, try not to make anyone’s job harder this year, it’s been a long one. 🙄

How will you be celebrating New Year’s Eve this year? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Designecologist/Pexels

Kidnapped! Lego statue of André Hazes now missing from Dam square

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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0
Kidnapped! Lego statue of André Hazes now missing from Dam square

Missing — have you seen this Lego figure? The statue of late Dutch artist André Hazes vanished from Dam Square overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

If you’ve ever been to Dam Square, or even seen pictures of the place, you can imagine how unlikely this whole thing seems. Logging an extra-large, vandal-proof Lego figure across this ever-busy spot isn’t just your casual decision.

The popular statue, which was created by Dutch street artist Frankey and placed in the heart of Amsterdam in Summer 2020 went through previous defacing attempts — but for it to get kidnapped is just another level of cruel.

The statue’s placement commemorated Dutch folk singer and actor André Hazes on his birthday. The Amsterdam-based artist passed away in 2004, leaving behind a notable musical history.

Missing Lego report

All the evidence point to a kidnapping. The kidnapper even left a note that says: “Corona threw a spanner in the works. André now has time for another performance,” reports the NOS.

But the owner of the statue, catering entrepreneur Won Yip, along with André’s widow Rachel have faith that the figure will be placed back on Dam Square —and therefore didn’t file an official report with the police.

“I believe in the good of people. So to start with, give him a can of beer every fifteen minutes and then I assume that the statue will be replaced after New Years,” says Yip.

Have you seen the Lego statue of André Hazes in Dam Square previously? Do you think it’ll be placed back? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: ingus.kruklitis.gmail.com/Depositphotos

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