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Edition of Thursday, 29 October 2026English edition
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The Geopolitician

Country risk, from the local press

Netherlands · Country watch

Shell Profits Surge, Dutch Tax Plan Pressure

Shell reports record profits amid high oil prices; Dutch tax plan faces new opposition demands.

· · 9 articles read

The picture Mixed How this is judged →

Business conditions in the Netherlands are mixed. Shell's strong profits boost the energy sector, while political pressures on the tax plan create uncertainty for public-sector negotiations. Energy project leadership disputes in Moerdijk add to the complexity.

Flare-up watch: Calm (0.4) · How this is judged → · All Netherlands briefings →

In this briefing Shell · Joost Eerdmans · JA21 · BBB · SGP · Rob Jetten · Moerdijk

Companies

  • Energy
  • Finance

Shell profits soar to $10.8 billion in Q3

Shell reported a net profit of $10.8 billion for the third quarter, doubling its earnings from the same period last year, as high oil and gas prices boosted its bottom line, according to NU.nl. The company announced a $5 billion share buyback, surprising analysts who had expected lower earnings. Shell's revenue reached nearly $93 billion, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has kept energy prices elevated.

Impact Energy investors and shareholders benefit from Shell's increased profits and share buyback plan.

Sources: NU.nl ↗, Telegraaf.nl ↗, nu.nl ↗

Politics

  • Public sector

JA21, BBB, SGP form alliance on tax plan

Opposition parties JA21, BBB, and SGP have formed a coalition to negotiate with the Dutch minority government over the tax plan, NOS.nl reports. They demand significant changes in areas such as nitrogen policy, asylum, and medical ethics in exchange for their support. This move increases pressure on the government, as these demands have been previously deemed unacceptable by the coalition parties.

Impact Dutch policymakers face increased pressure to adjust the tax plan, affecting public-sector negotiations.

Sources: NOS.nl ↗, NRC ↗

  • Energy
  • Public sector

Moerdijk calls for energy project leadership

Residents and organizations in Moerdijk have called on Prime Minister Rob Jetten to take charge of energy project planning in the region, Omroep Brabant reports. They seek a comprehensive plan that would allow the government to step back for at least two generations. However, the cabinet has rejected this request, stating that State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat already holds the leading role.

Impact Energy planners and local authorities in Moerdijk face continued uncertainty over project leadership.

Sources: Omroep Brabant ↗

Nothing significant reported today in Regulation · Disruption · Internal tension · Safety & health · Markets · Trade.

Also today in the local press

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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The same day elsewhere