Alarm bells rang out in The Hague this week after a judge struck out the coronavirus curfew, prompting a mad scramble to get a new version through parliament. There was also a mad scramble across the country to find old skates as the coldest temperatures for eight years turned the Netherlands into a winter wonderland. Scientists call on people to send in their dead mosquitos and PVV MP Dion Graus faces more allegations of domestic abuse. And as election day approaches, we speak to polling specialist Tom Louwerse about the way opinion polls reflect and shape the political landscape.

Thanks to Tom Louwerse for being our guest – you can track the parties’ fortunes with his ‘poll of polls’ here.

Want to support the DutchNews podcast and keep our stocks of drop, gin and stroopwafels healthy? Click here to become a Patreon backer

Ophef of the week: Singer Gordon raises hackles with pet bulldog

• Click here to try out The Hague city council’s ‘out of this world’ postal voting simulator

News

Curfew chaos after judge rules government should not have used emergency law

Appeal court judges will decide on legality of coronavirus curfew next week

Weekly coronavirus cases level off as more infections strains spread

Rutte warns there is little scope to ease coronavirus restrictions after March 2

Sigh of relief as Amsterdam resumes trial of ‘very reliable’ corona breath tests

‘Virus free’ test certificates could offer route out of lockdown

Dutch economy shrank by 3.8% in 2020, worst results since WWII

Air France-KLM posts record €7 bn loss as coronavirus hits travel

Parties worried about opinion polls and debates after voting begins

PVV MP Dion Graus faces fresh allegations of domestic abuse

Skating fever sweeps the Netherlands in biggest freeze for eight years

Scientists investigating West Nile Virus make plea for mosquito carcasses

• Click here for details of how to send your dead mosquitos to Wageningen University