There was only one question on everybody’s lips on Prinsjesdag (aka Budget Day) this year, eclipsing even the speculation about Marianne Thieme’s outfit or whether Wopke or Erik came up with the €50 billion special projects fund: would King Willem-Alexander be the first monarch to deliver his speech through a beard? We also reflect on the shocking murder of a lawyer on his doorstep in Amsterdam, the sad death of Fernando Ricksen at 43, a stunningly candid interview by the mayor of Amsterdam’s partner and the slow process of detoxifying Zwarte Piet. Plus, find out why ophef rang out round the capital when one new resident complained to the council about his noisy neighbours.

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Ophef of the week: New Amsterdam resident put through the wringer over bells protest

Top story

Defence lawyer in major gangland killing case is shot dead

Security stepped up for legal team in ‘Mocromaffia’ case

‘We live in a narco-state’: murder of Dutch lawyer prompts fear and fury (Guardian)

News

Femke Halsema under fire after partner admits owning gun at centre of son’s arrest

Man arrested after hundreds of war graves vandalised on eve of liberation ceremony

‘Sooty Piets’ only in Sinterklaasjournaal this year, NPO announces

Sport

Ajax get off to flying Champions League start with 3-0 win over Lille

Former international footballer Fernando Ricksen dies of motor neurone disease

Discussion: Prinsjesdag and the budget

Royal watchers line up for a glimpse of the king on Prinsjesdag

Modest economic growth ahead, says king in budget day speech

Text of the king’s speech from the throne (Dutch government website)

Economy is in robust health, says finance minister Wopke Hoekstra

Main points of the government’s spending plans

Muted tone to budget debate as Rutte holds firm

Feature: What impact will the 2020 budget have on your finances?