Mayor Jan Hamming of Zaandstad is imposing a permit requirement on the “highly criminalized window cleaning” industry. According to the mayor, a small group of Dutch Turks in Zaanstad is trying to form a “mafia” using exploited Bulgarians to harass and threaten other window cleaners and take over their work, the Volkskrant reports.
The result was a relief to mainstream parties across Europe, particularly in France and Germany, where right-wing nationalists hope to make a big impact in elections this year.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election. “I wish him every success in the coming years. I look forward to continuing to strengthen ties and work together as friends and allies,” Rutte tweeted. In several cities, Dutch Turks celebrated Erdogan’s election win. Many drove around, honking and waving the Turkish flag.