We all know the frustrating feeling of forgetting our favourite gloves, umbrella, or book on the train. It’s annoying, but not a huge deal. But what happens when a politician forgets top-secret papers relating to the government formation in the coach?

Well, that’s something Gert-Jan Segers can now answer.

Three weeks ago, the leader of the ChristenUnie party forgot a draft coalition agreement between the VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) and CDA (Christen-Democratische Partij) in the train on his way to The Hague, reports the NOS.

Hoping that a good samaritan would return the piece, the politician kept his head low. The piece was eventually found — but given to the newspaper, De Volkskrant. Are we really surprised? 😅

Segers apologises

In the inevitable story that followed, De Volkskrant writes that they obtained the piece because “a person involved in the formation” recently left it in the train. This morning, Segers admitted that it was him.

What did it say?

Luckily for Sergers, nothing too juicy. NOS’ political reporter says that “The document does not have the status of a kind of coalition agreement, because there is no elaboration, no financial substantiation and the groups have not agreed to it. But it is striking and interesting in terms of content.”

It was written by members of the VVD and the CDA and covered topics ranging from the housing crisis to opening up the Netherlands for more migrants, to a scheme to buy out farmers. In the piece, the party D66 was considered as a negotiating partner.

Both Segers and Rutte, however, emphasize that the piece has no influence on the formation of a new cabinet. 💁‍♀️

What do you think of Sergers’ blunder? Tell us in the comments below!

Image: Anne Paul Roukema/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0 (modified)

Bye, Zwarte Piet. The mayor of Amsterdam has confirmed that the city will no longer grant funding to Sinterklaas parades that contain the controversial character.

New to the Netherlands? You may not have heard of Zwarte Piet — and breaking down the reasons why he is controversial could warrant a book in itself.

READ MORE | Zwarte Piet: the full guide to the Netherlands’ most controversial tradition

To summarise, each year, the Netherlands welcomes Sinterklaas back into the Netherlands and the holiday season begins — but he brings with him an unsavoury reminder of the colonial past, Zwarte Pieten.

Traditional Zwarte Pieten are usually (white) Dutch people dressed wearing black face and body paint, as well as hooped earrings, afro wigs and overlined red lips. Hopefully, why this is controversial is self-evident.

The character has led to many protests and debates in recent years throughout the Netherlands. And in 2018, the political party, BIJ1, asked the Amsterdam city council about whether or not such a character should be allowed to be present at the city’s annual welcome of Sinterklaas.

Finally, an answer

And Amsterdam has officially said no. Or at least, the city will no longer support any Sinterklaas parades that do contain Zwarte Pieten. Mayor or Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, announced this in response to BIJ1’s questions.

She said that the city “understands that the figure of Zwarte Piet is offensive for many Amsterdammers to experience” and that Amsterdam shares BIJ1’s views that “the use of the figure is offensive because of the racist characteristics and that it would be good if Zwarte Piet wasn’t part of Sinterklaas’s parades.”

What does this mean?

So how will this look in terms of action? The city, which subsidises Sinterklaas parades, will no longer grant funding to any parades that will contain traditional Zwarte Pieten.

The city states that it does this “in the context of anti-discrimination and the importance to align with urban policy” and explains that it has notified applicants for a Sinterklaas parade subsidy that “an application for a subsidy in which Zwarte Piet plays a role will be rejected.”

Instead, applying parades should either ditch the figure altogether or replace it with Sootie Piets or Rainbow Piets.

READ MORE | Support for Zwarte Piet drops significantly, new survey finds

Meanwhile, the city also points out that an outright ban on the controversial character is not possible, as this infringes on personal liberties. It hopes that in making the step to refuse funding, it will reduce the appearance of the harmful figure overall.

What are your thoughts on this move by Amsterdam? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Tony Taylorstock/Depositphotos

We hate to put a damper on your party plans, but the municipality of Amsterdam decided to send its residents to bed early this year by cancelling all of its scheduled New Year’s celebrations throughout the city.

The city announced its decision on Monday — attributing the cancellation to the rapid increase in the number of coronavirus infections, the number of hospital admissions, the extra measures, and the overall ‘bleak outlook’ (there, there Amsterdam 😟).

So which events will be affected by this decision? Since individual use of fireworks was banned in Amsterdam earlier this year, the city organized two major events: the national countdown on Museumplein and the firework displays in the city districts, which are both cancelled.

“Because it is very uncertain how things will go on, and we already have to make significant investments for these shows, it is not responsible to continue with the preparations.” the city announced.

Plan B

Amsterdam’s Mayor Femke Halsema wants to keep a spark 🎆 of hope alive for celebrators, however, according to a Nu.nl report. The mayor addressed a letter to the city council explaining that small-scale celebrations are still possible in the city with a permit, which can be requested till December 1.

“It is possible that small-scale celebrations can still take place in the city districts, within the measures in force at that time,” Halsema clarifies.

The municipality doesn’t seem to be taking any joy in this twist of events. Their official announcement hopes that this is the last year when the city suffers so much from the coronavirus and that next year everyone can celebrate the arrival of a new year with celebrations like normal — we feel you, Amsterdam. 🫂

With the current coronavirus outlook, what are your plans for NYE? Be safe and let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: nd3000/Depositphotos