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PODCAST

Low Country Lowdown

Low Country Lowdown Inc.

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

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All Episodes

0:24:10

The Election: Rob Jetten's D66 Wins Big & Geert...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/10/31

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 thousand votes shy of D66.But beneath the headlines, the broader story is one of shifting ground: a continued normalization and entrenchment of the (far) right across the political

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0:52:16

Lowdown #18: Election Special with Political Reporter...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/10/24

This week, we're shaking things up a bit: we're doing an extra long election special! 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 over a decade, and is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable journalists on the topic. We're starting off with an overview of the fundamentals of Dutch politics:How does the system work? What are

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0:25:47

Lowdown #17: Battling over Chips & More Violent...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/10/17

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.After running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.In this episode,

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0:24:53

Lowdown #16: Power Grid Crisis & How Does the Expat...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/10/10

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 parts to Israel.After running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch

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0:23:36

Lowdown #15: Tata Steel Promised Billions & Renting a...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/10/03

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 Caterpillar, the company that supplies Israel with the bulldozers it uses against civilian targets in the West Bank and Gaza.After running through a handful of other headlines, we get to

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0:22:45

Lowdown #14: Massive Right-Wing Riots & Where Have...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/09/26

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 our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.In this episode, Juliette's question is about where all the cigarettes have

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0:24:55

Lowdown #13: Wolf Culling Plan Blocked & Sammy...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/09/19

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 by police officers - a case which has haunted the police for years.After running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest

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0:25:49

Lowdown #12: Late Summer Political Chaos & What's the...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/09/12

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 a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.In this episode, Kat's question is

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0:25:08

Lowdown #11: RIP to Dutch Railways & Why Cyclists...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/07/18

This is our final episode before we take a summer break until the end of August!On this week's Lowdown, we'll take some extra time to discuss this this week's pure drama for the national railway company NS. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.In this episode, Jack's question is about why the Dutch don't wear helmets while

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0:24:40

Lowdown #10: PVV Refuses to Work & Why Amsterdam’s...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/07/11

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first discuss the extreme right PVV and how their wholesale refusal to do their job is affecting politics and parliamentary work. After that, we'll talk about Dutch companies, headquartered in the Netherlands, are killing off their corporate diversity initiatives because Trump's legislation in the US. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most

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0:25:48

Lowdown #9: Antisemitism Clash Between Politician and...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/07/04

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first talk about the costs incurred because of the long-standing stalemate concerning the nitrogen crisis. After that, we'll discuss the false allegations of antisemitism by the leader of the Liberal Conservatives, Dilan Yesilgöz, against a singer, Douwe Bob. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.In this

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0:26:10

Lowdown #8: Greens and Labour Vote on Israel &...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/06/27

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first talk about the motion by the Greenleft-Labour party to ban weapons exports to Israel, leading to a media storm and consternation at their party conference. After that, we'll discuss a newly released report on the 350.000 unemployed immigrants in the Netherlands. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch

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0:24:15

Lowdown #7: Magical Billions for Defense & How Does...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/06/20

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first talk about parliament agreeing to spend 19 billion euros more on defence, without actually having that money readily available. After that, we'll discuss the disappearance of crucial video footage in two court cases against violent Israeli hooligans in Amsterdam last November. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about

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0:21:31

Lowdown #6: Amsterdam Wants Expat Integration Course...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/06/13

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first talk about the city of Amsterdam its plans for a new programme for expat integration. After that, we'll discuss Syrian refugees in the Netherlands, as the cabinet now assumes Syria is safe enough for most of them to return. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.In this episode, Nilufer's question is

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0:23:12

Lowdown #5: The Fall of the Cabinet & Does the...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/06/06

On this week's Lowdown, we're covering the fall of the cabinet: how it happened, why it happened, and what will happen next. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.In this episode, Juliette's question is on whether the Netherlands has issues with heroin or opioids. --------------------------------------------------------------Follow us

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0:20:54

Lowdown #4: Geert Wilders in Trouble & Why Do the...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/05/30

This week, we're covering Geert Wilders' struggles to dominate the discourse, about which we spoke with political journalist Coen van de Ven, and a Russian hack on the Dutch police. Next, after quickly running through a handful of other headlines, we'll get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guests get to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.In this episode, Kristo's question is about the origin of the Dutch preference to use diseases as swear

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0:20:06

Lowdown #3: Will Gaza Protests Be Effective & Drought...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/05/23

This week, we'll this year's drought, which has scientists and farmers alike worried. Next, after quickly running through a handful of other headlines, we'll get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guests get to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.This week, Nilufer's question is about the relationship between the Netherlands and Israel.--------------------------------------------------------------Follow us on Instagram! @lowdown.nlEmail us for

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0:20:27

Lowdown #2: Trump Shock Hits Dutch Academia & Water...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/05/16

This week, we'll touch on two themes. Firstly, a new investigation shows how the Trump administration's first months already disrupt academic work in the Netherlands, and we'll talk about a new, much-discussed lawsuit against oil giant Shell.After quickly running through a handful of other headlines, we'll get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guests get to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.This week, Kristo's question is about the water

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0:23:47

Lowdown #1: Political Shift on Gaza & Should Women Be...

Low Country Lowdown ·

2025/05/09

For this week, we'll touch on a seemingly major shift in Dutch policy on Gaza, and a Christian political party's internal conflict about women in politics. After quickly running through a handful of other headlines, we'll get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guests get to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.This week, Juliette's question is about whether Dutch culture wars are as preoccupied with Trans rights as they are in the UK and

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