Dutch, German Liberals Split on Climate, Sustainability
The Dutch center-right understand they can no longer cede climate policy to the left.
Nick Ottens is a journalist, former political risk consultant and former research manager for XPRIZE, where he designed prize competitions to incentivize breakthrough innovation in agriculture, food and health care. He has reported from Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York for various Dutch- and English-language media, including the Atlantic Council, EUobserver, NRC, Trouw and World Politics Review.
Nick writes about the politics of France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States in Atlantic Sentinel and Wynia’s Week. In his spare time, he edits the online magazines Never Was and Forgotten Trek.
He is a member of the board of Liberal Green, the sustainability network of the Dutch liberal party VVD.
The Dutch center-right understand they can no longer cede climate policy to the left.
The prime minister is betting he can make the election a choice between him and the far right.
Banks, investors, pension funds, the OECD… nobody believes the Dutch are getting this right.
The first Spanish elections since the pandemic are a test for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Greens aren’t happy either. They don’t believe the proposals go far enough.
Joe Biden has relaxed more immigration policies and toughened others.
Police budgets and interdictions in the port of Rotterdam are up. So is cocaine use.
Giorgia Meloni cuts unemployment benefits and makes it easier to hire workers short-term.
Two years ago, Salvador Illa let his ego get in the way of a deal.
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Gene-editing and lab-grown meat to feed the world, regenerative farming to save the planet.
Sales would only be allowed by nonprofits, not stores.
Higher interest rates necessitate spending cuts. The Netherlands must do more to cut emissions.
The alternative is shrinking the entire trawler fleet.
Giorgia Meloni also raises prison sentences for human traffickers.