Nieuwsuur

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections, *Nieuwsuur* welcomes the lead candidates of the largest political parties. They will be interviewed by Mariëlle Tweebeeke or Jeroen Wollaars. Political analysts Arjan Noorlander and Nynke de Zoeten, along with economics expert Mathijs Bouman, will contribute analyses to the discussions. The broadcasts are live and have an audience. For the election specials, *Nieuwsuur* has invited nine parties. This selection was based on the average of the current number of parliamentary seats and the forecasts in the polling guide. This time: Rob Jetten (D66).

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections, *Nieuwsuur* is hosting the lead candidates of the major political parties. They will be interviewed by Mariëlle Tweebeeke or Jeroen Wollaars. Political analysts Arjan Noorlander and Nynke de Zoeten, along with economics expert Mathijs Bouman, will provide analysis during the discussions. The broadcasts are live and have a studio audience. For these election specials, *Nieuwsuur* has invited nine parties. The selection was based on the average of the current number of parliamentary seats and the projections in the polling indicator. This time: Jimmy Dijk (SP).

Millions of Americans are protesting in fifty states against the Trump administration, which they say is sliding into authoritarianism, carrying the message of “No Kings Day” — a reminder that the United States has no kings. We’ll check in with correspondent Sjoerd den Daas for the latest updates. * Ukrainian President Zelensky will, for now, not receive Tomahawk long-range missiles from the U.S. We’ll discuss this with Eastern Europe expert Bob Deen. * Ukraine has lost many soldiers and civilians in the war with Russia. In Kyiv, a minute of silence is enforced every morning, as reporter Gert-Jan Dennekamp shows.

The Israeli army has launched a series of attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza. The military says it is responding to Hamas’s “flagrant violation of the ceasefire,” according to a statement on X. Earlier, Israel had already carried out strikes in the area around the southern city of Rafah after “terrorists” allegedly fired an anti-tank missile and shot at Israeli troops. Is this the end of the truce? * A week and a half before the elections, 17 percent of eligible voters know which party they will vote for, 83 percent are still undecided, and 20 percent plan not to vote; we’ll discuss this with political reporter Arjan Noorlander.

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections, *Nieuwsuur* interviews the lead candidates of eight political parties. In these special election broadcasts, we question the party leaders about their election programs, voting records, and plans for the Netherlands. This time: the CDA. What has the party achieved, and where does it stand now? Lead candidate Henri Bontenbal is the guest.

In conversation with GroenLinks–PvdA lead candidate Frans Timmermans. In the run-up to the Dutch parliamentary elections, we interview the lead candidates of eight political parties. In these special election broadcasts, we question the party leaders about their election programs, voting records, and plans for the Netherlands. This time: GroenLinks–PvdA. What has the party achieved, and where does it stand now? Lead candidate Frans Timmermans is the guest.

In conversation with VVD lead candidate Dilan Yesilgöz. In the run-up to the parliamentary elections, we interview the lead candidates of eight political parties. In these special election broadcasts, we question the party leaders about their election programs, voting records, and plans for the Netherlands. This time: the VVD. What has the party achieved, and where does it stand now? Lead candidate Dilan Yesilgöz is the guest.

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections, *Nieuwsuur* is interviewing the leaders of eight political parties. In these special election broadcasts, we question the party leaders about their election programs, voting records, and plans for the Netherlands. PVV leader Geert Wilders has canceled his interview, so we’ll be taking a closer look at his party without him. We’ll do so together with political scientist Matthijs Rooduijn and our political analyst Arjan Noorlander. Two voters who supported the PVV in 2023 will also join the discussion. How do they view the party now?

The news with background, context, and analysis.

Just a few days remain until the parliamentary elections. Climate change ranks fourth among voters’ priorities, yet tens of thousands joined the climate march today. Across Europe, the issue is front and center, but in the Dutch campaign it’s receiving little attention. Political analyst Arjan Noorlander and economist Sander Tordoir discuss why. * Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine continue. As the cold sets in, strikes on energy infrastructure are also increasing. In Chernihiv, eighty kilometers from the Russian border, electricity is scarce and neighborhoods go without power for hours — yet the population remains resilient.

GroenLinks–PvdA has filed a complaint over defamatory AI-generated images of Frans Timmermans, created by PVV MPs Boon and Crijns, following reporting by *de Volkskrant*; Wilders has apologized on X. * The trial of Marco Borsato, accused of groping a minor, begins on Tuesday, with the singer expected to give his own account after nearly four years of investigation. * Political analyst Nynke de Zoeten discusses the *EenVandaag* election debate and the latest campaign developments. * Since 2023, Ukraine has been attacking Russian oil refineries, leading to fuel shortages and rising prices. Geert Groot Koerkamp discusses the consequences.

Final debate of the election campaign. The NOS Final Debate with all parties currently represented in the House of Representatives. We discuss the highlights of the debate with Arjan Noorlander. And we ask undecided voters whether they have now chosen a party. * Report: more isolated peoples than previously thought. According to a new report, there are at least 196 Indigenous groups living in isolation from the outside world — more than previously assumed. The organization Survival International has mapped this number. These groups have deliberately chosen not to have contact with the outside world, often to protect themselves from colonization. But the question is how long they can continue to do so.

In the preliminary projection by ANP, D66 and the PVV have become the largest parties, both now standing at 26 seats. Due to the small margins, it may take days before it is clear which party has become the largest. The broadcast is entirely focused on the election results, with analysis by political commentators Arjan Noorlander and Nynke de Zoeten, various prominent party members, voters, and political scientist Matthijs Rooduijn, who researches far-right parties and voter behavior.

Frans Timmermans returned to Dutch politics to make the merged party GL–PvdA the largest. After two attempts, he has not succeeded. We ask members of the GroenLinks youth movement DWARS and traditional social democrats how they view the merger. Has the project failed? In the studio, we continue the discussion with parliamentary journalist Coen van de Ven from *De Groene Amsterdammer*. * There are 196 tribes worldwide that live in almost complete isolation, according to a new report released this week. Half of these peoples are at risk of disappearing in the coming decade, warns advocacy group Survival International.

Amid all the election turmoil, policymaking in The Hague continues as usual. The caretaker cabinet has decided to introduce stricter regulations for Buy Now, Pay Later services, such as the deferred payment platform Klarna. The government mainly wants to protect young people, who sometimes end up in deep debt as a result of postponed payments. * We discuss the new political future of the Netherlands — not with politicians, but with dissatisfied citizens who have recently taken to the streets to protest. What do they think of the election results, and how do they believe their issues will be addressed?

Women fleeing from a violent partner or ex are increasingly being housed in hotels or holiday parks. This is because there is a shortage of emergency shelters. * There’s a good chance that 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani will become the youngest mayor of New York ever. He has no administrative experience, was born in Uganda, is Muslim, and a socialist — a dirty word for many Americans. * U.S. President Donald Trump is said to have given the green light for airstrikes on targets in Venezuela. Is a military action against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro imminent?

Klaver new parliamentary leader of GL-PvdA. He was the only candidate, but is he also the hoped-for political leader? We discuss it with political analyst Arjan Noorlander. * EU law: Right to Repair. This law should contribute to the EU’s goal of having a circular economy by 2050. But are manufacturers ready for this? * The construction of new houses just isn’t picking up. Yet the solution, according to many, is within reach: houses from the factory, also known as industrial or modular construction. But the sector is struggling. * Actor and presenter Joost Prinsen has passed away.”

Coalition talks begin. All party leaders are coming together with the aim of appointing a scout. D66 leader Rob Jetten is expected to take the lead. His party plans to nominate Wouter Koolmees as the scout. * Housing for nuisance-causing individuals. Many municipalities are urgently looking for places for people with psychological disorders. So-called ‘skaeve huse’: simple homes on the outskirts of a town or village. In many municipalities where this concept is being introduced, local residents are pushing back. * Animal suffering during transport of ‘surplus piglets’. An animal welfare organization filmed two transports of piglets to Croatia and observed many things going wrong along the way.

Scout Koolmees begins. Coalition scout Wouter Koolmees has started his search for a coalition. He met with party leaders from D66, PVV, VVD, GroenLinks–PvdA, CDA, JA21, and BBB. * Longest shutdown ever. On October 1, the U.S. government went into shutdown because the Senate failed to reach an agreement on government spending. The shutdown has now lasted 36 days. What are the consequences? We ask correspondent Rudy Bouma. * Drones near Belgian airports. Air traffic in Brussels was halted following reports of drone sightings. * Court case of the Vlaardingen foster girl. We speak with Nicolien van den Berg from Youth Care Netherlands.

The substantive hearing in the case against the foster family from Vlaardingen has begun. Organizations involved with the foster family also fell seriously short, the inspectorate had already concluded earlier. We discuss the case with Professor of Juvenile Law Mariëlle Bruning and reporter Dirk Mosterd. * Is the Netherlands prepared for the threat of drones? In Belgium, the airports of Brussels and Liège have already had to suspend air traffic twice due to drone sightings. * Caretaker minister Mariëlle Paul (Social Affairs and Employment, VVD) reversed a cabinet proposal from her predecessor Eddy van Hijum (NSC) just one day after the parliamentary elections.

As part of the exploratory talks for a possible coalition, negotiator Wouter Koolmees is today meeting in pairs with the parties that have the greatest differences between them. * Resumption of Nexperia chip deliveries from China? The latest updates. * Next week marks the start of the annual climate summit in Brazil. Data scientist Hannah Ritchie has written a book about misconceptions surrounding climate change — one of which concerns the cost of green energy. * Ukraine is heading toward a massive budget deficit. The war costs Ukraine €160 million per day, and the government already knows it will have to spend even more next year to hold off Russia.

Companies in Trouble. If the Netherlands isn’t careful, one industrial company after another will move abroad. Many Dutch companies are struggling, the industry warns. One of the biggest problems: energy prices in the Netherlands are much higher than in competing countries. But that’s not the only issue. With all these challenges, the question is: what do companies expect from the new government? Joining the discussion are three major players in the Dutch economy: Cindy Kroon, CEO of Vattenfall; Victor van der Chijs, chairman of the business association Deltalinqs; and Koos van Haasteren, CEO of Chemelot.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is visiting Trump. He is the first Syrian president ever to visit the White House. Remarkably, Sharaa once worked with al-Qaeda, and until recently there was a $10 million bounty on his head. But just two days ago, the Americans removed the former jihadist from the terrorism list. Why does Trump want to strengthen ties with Syria? And what does Sharaa have to offer him? * In Brazil, the annual UN climate summit is getting underway. Expectations are low. European and American politicians are showing less enthusiasm for climate measures.

Mediator Wouter Koolmees is meeting with the party leaders of the CDA, VVD, and D66. Tomorrow, he must submit his report to the House of Representatives. Political analyst Nynke de Zoeten updates us on the situation. * Every year, a few hundred young people die suddenly and unexpectedly. Post-mortem examinations after such sudden deaths are still very rare, even though it can be very important for relatives to know whether a hereditary disease was involved. * In Darfur, Sudan, shocking reports are emerging of mass murder and ethnic cleansing. Correspondent Elles van Gelder, reporting from Khartoum, records the return of three Sudanese individuals.

House of Representatives says goodbye and Koolmees presents report. Seventy members of parliament will not return to the blue benches. Mediator Wouter Koolmees presents his report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Maternity care under pressure. National coverage of maternity care is under strain, even though women are legally entitled to at least 24 hours of maternity care. Corruption in the Ukrainian energy sector. Two anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine have carried out raids as part of a major investigation into corruption in the energy sector. Guest: lawyer Robert Hein Broekhuijsen, who was closely involved in setting up an anti-corruption system in Ukraine.

New House of Representatives. Who are the JA21 members? Seventy new MPs were sworn in, fifteen of whom have previously served in parliament. Political analyst Arjan Noorlander outlines the new composition of the chamber. We zoom in on the almost entirely new JA21 faction and on PVV member Martin Bosma, who hopes to remain Speaker of the House. Defense trains students. The Ministry of Defense needs a lot of personnel and hopes to recruit through education. At several schools, students can take training alongside their regular studies to become reservists. The training is fully funded and even earns study credits. But there are concerns.

The newly installed House of Representatives is debating today about the election results and the progress of the coalition formation. The “interim phase” proposed by mediator Koolmees is drawing criticism from the PVV, VVD, and JA21. We discuss the latest developments with political analyst Arjan Noorlander. Rising tensions in the Caribbean. The United States has been carrying out military operations in the region for months, including off the coast of Venezuela. Suspected drug boats are regularly attacked, and so far nearly eighty people have been killed. How likely is it that the situation will escalate?

Informateur Hans Wijers (D66) is stepping down because of statements he made well before the elections in a messaging app conversation. Wijers had already come under fire for allegedly calling VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz a “liar.” The latest news from The Hague. Dutch men fought in Ukraine. Two Dutch men went to Ukraine to defend European values. They explain how, as drone pilots, they spent months trying to fend off the Russians around Pokrovsk — until it became too dangerous. Reporter Gert-Jan Dennekamp spoke with the two and joins us as a guest. After fifteen years, Kick Out Zwarte Piet is stopping. Has the mission been accomplished?

In recent years, several people may have died after using medication or drugs they purchased from the website Funcaps.nl. On Monday, the court will decide whether to extend the detention of the two webshop owners who were arrested in August. How could things have gone so terribly wrong? Guest: Ruud Coolen van Brakel, director of the Institute for Responsible Medication Use. * More than 160,000 Syrians live in the Netherlands, many of whom fled the years-long war there. Now that the war has ended, the outgoing government believes it is time for many to return. We speak with Syrians about their decision whether or not to go back.

Who will be in charge in Gaza in the coming period? The UN is voting on the American proposal for an international stabilization force. Correspondent Nasrah Habiballah updates us. * Due to the violence in Gaza, tens of thousands of children have lost one or both parents in recent years. Several orphanages are helping these children get their lives back on track. We visit an orphan tent in a refugee camp, where 1,500 children receive support. * Choreographer and theatre director Marco Gerris has been combining unlikely dance styles on stage for decades. This year, he is being awarded the prestigious Johannes Vermeer Prize for his work.

D66 and the CDA have begun substantive coalition talks, with asylum and migration as the first topic. We discuss this with political reporter Nynke de Zoeten. * A new public information campaign launches today, aimed at encouraging citizens to think for themselves about how to prepare for assistance in times of crisis. We discuss it with outgoing Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans. * Political plans for free childcare starting in 2029 are running into staffing shortages at daycare centers. * The renovation of the Binnenhof in The Hague is facing years of additional delays and rising costs, with a new completion date set for the summer of 2031 — five years later than planned.

Election of the Speaker of the House. The candidates are Martin Bosma (PVV), Thom van Campen (VVD) and Tom van der Lee (GroenLinks-PvdA). Arjan Noorlander updates us. Failing oversight of online medicine sales? The Public Prosecution Service believes that as many as 49 people may have died due to products from funcaps.nl. Obstacles to building new homes. Professors and the Association of Dutch Municipalities are joining informateur Sybrand Buma, D66 leader Rob Jetten and CDA leader Henri Bontenbal for talks. Will free childcare make people work more? We speak with two mothers who are currently at home with their children. Vote on Epstein documents. Rudy Bouma with the latest news.

Suspension of Nexperia intervention. We speak with a media expert in China. Maaike Okano-Heijmans, a China expert at the Clingendael Institute, is in the studio. Corruption in Ukraine. The corruption scandal surrounding the Ukrainian energy sector continues to preoccupy the country. According to Ukrainian media, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, was also involved. Suriname still uncertain about World Cup ticket. Suriname has not yet managed to qualify for next year’s World Cup. Free childcare also for the unemployed? We zoom in on the group of parents who *would not* be entitled to free childcare once it becomes free: the unemployed.

Defense attempted last night to shoot down five to ten drones that were flying over Volkel Air Base. Defense specialist Peter Wijninga joins us. At the end of the climate summit in Brazil, it looked like a deal had been reached, but during the final declaration there was a great deal of dissatisfaction. The chair suspended the meeting after Colombia objected to the deal. Diederik Samsom, co-architect of the European Green Deal, reflects on the summit. Former Vice President Mike Pence was in the Netherlands as a guest at the prestigious Nexus Institute for their annual conference. Eelco Bosch van Rosenthal interviewed Pence.

Caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof is participating digitally today in a meeting with government leaders of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, a group of countries supporting Ukraine. We speak with Schoof, who is in Paramaribo for the celebration of Surinamese independence. In the studio is caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel. The foster parents of the foster girl from Vlaardingen have been sentenced to eight years in prison. The court finds that a psychiatric treatment order (TBS) is not necessary. Nieuwsuur reporter Dirk Mostert made a documentary about the case. He is a guest in the studio.