Podcast

Low Country Lowdown

Dutch news for internationals, explained in twenty minutes. Every Friday.

Low Country Lowdown is a concise rundown of the biggest stories in Dutch news, every Friday. Whatever type of international you might be—a fresh newcomer or a long-time resident—we make sure you're well-informed and up to speed on the most important themes in Dutch politics and society. We skip the clichés and help you make sense of what’s going on in the Netherlands.

Episodes

S02 / E10 - 14 November 2025
Coalition Talks Face Issues & Maternity Care Crisis in Poor Neighborhoods

On today's Lowdown, the last one of Season 2, the D66 and the CDA political parties have been tasked with drafting the blueprint for a new government, a fragile starting point that excludes major players and leaves the country staring at two messy, uncertain coalition paths. Our second se...

S02 / E09 - 07 November 2025
Migrant Workers Protection Axed, Ozempic in the Netherlands, and the Dutch Welfare State - Lowdown #20

Today on Lowdown, two quiet policy shifts with big consequences: the Dutch caretaker government has scrapped long-promised protections for low-paid migrant workers and, at the same time, approved new public insurance coverage for costly weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro.We dig in...

S02 / E08 - 31 October 2025
The Election: Rob Jetten's D66 Wins Big & Geert Wilders' PVV Suffers Defeat - Lowdown #19

The election results are in, and they’ve shaken up Dutch politics. Under Rob Jetten’s leadership, the center-left D66 surged from 9 to 26 seats, overtaking Geert Wilders’ PVV to become the largest party in parliament. Wilders’ PVV saw a dramatic drop, slipping from 37 to 26 seats, just a few thou...

S02 / E07 - 24 October 2025
Dutch Election Special with Political Reporter Coen van de Ven - Lowdown #18

This week, we're shaking things up a bit: we're doing an extra long special on the October 29th election! We've invited Coen van de Ven, a political reporter, investigative journalist and published author on Dutch politics. Coen has been writing for many different newspapers and magazines for ove...

S02 / E06 - 17 October 2025
China and US Fighting over Chips & More Violent Extreme Right Protests - Lowdown #17

On this week's Lowdown, we'll discuss how Dutch companies keep getting caught in the trade war between China and the US, putting the Dutch economy at risk. Also, we'll talk about yet another round of violent extreme right protests across the country, seemingly part a spiral of violence.

S02 / E05 - 10 October 2025
Taxes and Power: Power Grid Crisis & How Does the Expat Tax-Ruling Work? - Lowdown #16

On this week's Lowdown, we'll discuss the crisis in the Dutch power grid, an impossible puzzle which is costing billions a year. Then, we'll talk about the Supreme Court its ruling in a years-long legal battle between the state and three human rights NGOs, who demand an export ban on fighter jet...

S02 / E04 - 03 October 2025
Tata Steel Promised Billions & Renting a House without a Floor? - Lowdown #15

On this week's Lowdown, we'll discuss the 2 billion euros in subsidies controversially promised to Tata Steel, who run the largest plant in the country, in order to produce steel more sustainably. Then, we'll talk about the largest pension fund in the Netherlands its decision to divest from Cater...

S02 / E03 - 26 September 2025
Massive Right-Wing Riots & Where Have Cigarettes Gone? - Lowdown #14

On this week's Lowdown, we'll discuss the massive right-wing riots in the Hague last Saturday and the political right's frantic attempts to disown their own role in the outburst of political violence. After running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where...

S02 / E02 - 19 September 2025
Murder and Wolves: Wolf Culling Plan Blocked & Sammy Baker's Murder Settled - Lowdown #13

On this week's Lowdown, we'll discuss the latest instalment in the national drama about wolves, as a top court has rejected a new proposal to shoot the animals. Then, we'll talk about the settlement between the Amsterdam police and the parents of Sammy Baker, the German man who was shot to death...

S02 / E01 - 12 September 2025
Late Summer Political Chaos & What's the deal with Frisians? - Lowdown #12

Howdy! We are back for Season 2 after our summer break!On this week's Lowdown, we'll discuss the further disintegration of the already collapsed cabinet. Then, we'll talk through the renewed debate in politics and society about the safety of women in the Netherlands. After running through...

company logo

About Low Country Lowdown

Low Country Lowdown is the podcast for internationals in the Netherlands who want to stay in the loop.

Every Friday morning, we deliver a 20 minute explainer on the past week’s most important stories in Dutch news, politics, and society. We go beyond the breaking news by picking the major themes that will continue to shape the country.

Whether it's the ever-worsening housing crisis, consequential political feuds or the slow-burn disaster in the prison system, we explain why each story matters now and how it may play out in the months and years to come.

Every week, we're joined by an expat guest who shares their view and voices their most pressing questions.

Production & Presentation: Daniel da Costa & Allart van der Woude

Follow us on Instagram! @lowdown.nl
Email us for inquiries and tips: info@lowdown.nl

www.lowdown.nl

Listen at ...

Follow us ...

>