Dutch Parliament sidelined by civil servant strike as Senate continues asylum debate

A strike by civil servants forced the Dutch House of Representatives to clear its agenda for Tuesday, leaving the chamber with no scheduled debates. The Senate, by contrast, continued its work and is set to host a crucial debate on asylum laws tomorrow, an arrangement described as unprecedented. The split highlights how the two houses are operating under different pressures on the same day.

The stoppage is linked to a zero-pay increase for the year, with no salary rise planned for civil servants. While MPs remained on site, the absence of debates in the House led some to use the pause to eat outside the building, reflecting the disruption caused by the strike.