Netherlands to adopt strict policies against illegal immigration

 

Anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders and his dramatic election victory

• Wilders ran on an anti-Islam platform, and pushed for less immigration  

• The new coalition parties said they would file a request to the European Commission for an opt-out on European asylum policy 'as soon as possible'
• People without a valid residence permit will be deported 'by force if necessary' 

Wilders ran on an anti-Islam platform with his Party for Freedom (PVV)

'I would like less asylum and immigration. The Dutch people come first. My love for my country is great and the most important thing.'

The Netherlands has today said it will opt out of European Union rules and bring in its 'strictest-ever' asylum policy following Geert Wilders' shock election victory.

The newly agreed Dutch coalition government said the new policy will see people removed from the European country 'by force' - setting up a clash with leaders in Brussels even before it has taken office.

The 26-page coalition agreement emerged early this morning after six months of gruelling talks between four parties following last years' stunning election victory by Wilders, the long-time Euro-sceptic and leader of the far-Right PVV party.

The parties said they would file a request to the European Commission for an opt-out on European asylum policy 'as soon as possible'. People without a valid residence permit will be deported 'by force if necessary,' said the report.

Wilders on Wednesday reached a deal to form a coalition with three right-wing partners, almost six months after last year's major election victory. He has ruled himself out of the top job, but has not yet proposed his choice for prime minister. 

The Netherlands has today said it will opt out of European Union rules to bring in its 'strictest-ever' asylum policy following Geert Wilders' 2023 election victory

The coalition parties said they would file a request to the European Commission for an opt-out on European asylum policy 'as soon as possible.' People without a valid residence permit will be deported 'by force if necessary,' said the report. Pictured: Asylum seekers are seen arriving at a registration centre in Ter Apel, The Netherlands

The 26-page coalition agreement emerged Thursday after six months of gruelling talks between four parties following the stunning election victory by Wilders, and long-time Euro-sceptic and leader of the far-right PVV party - who made immigration a core issue of his campaign. Pictured: Asylum seekers arrive at a shelter in The Netherlands

In its government plan published early on Thursday, the four-party coalition says it will aim for the 'strictest-ever asylum regime' with stronger border controls and harsher rules for asylum seekers who arrive in the Netherlands.

'An opt out clause for European asylum and migration policies will be submitted as soon as possible to the European Commission,' the coalition says in its pact.

'Concrete steps will be taken towards the strictest ever entry rules for asylum and the most comprehensive ever package to control migration,' the agreement said.

'This will definitely make the Netherlands less attractive for asylum seekers,' Wilders said after the plans were presented. 'People in Africa and the Middle East will start thinking they might be better off elsewhere.' 

Speaking to AFP news agency after clinching a coalition deal six months in the making, Wilders said: 'We will try to get a so-called opt-out for asylum, as the Danish have. That might take years if it is successful anyway.'

Denmark negotiated a deal to exclude the country from being bound by common EU asylum policies and the new Dutch government plans to ask the European Commission for the same as soon as possible.

But Wilders said that in the short-term, the new Right-wing government would aim to use Dutch law to restrict what he called an 'influx of asylum-seekers'.

'What we have today in our agreement is really the most tough anti-asylum (policy) ever being implemented in the Netherlands,' he told AFP. 

He also vowed to implement border controls to enforce the stricter asylum policy.

The Netherlands would join Hungary and Poland's former nationalist government in challenging EU migration policy.

Admittance of foreign students to Dutch universities will also become stricter.

(Left to right) Dutch party leaders Geert Wilders (PVV), Dilan Yesilgoz (VVD), Caroline van der Plas (BBB) and Pieter Omtzigt (NSC) pose for a group photograph during the presentation of the main lines of the agreement for the new cabinet, in the Hague, the Netherlands, 16 May 2024

A poll of 27,000 people by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf found that Wilders' new coalition was being warmly welcomed.

Comments included 'finally, common sense', 'enough with the extreme-Left fantasy reality' and 'we have been tolerant far too long to those who are not tolerant!'

According to its most recent figures, The Netherlands saw over 403,000 immigrants arrive in the country in 2022.

This was its highest rate on record.

On foreign policy, the parties will also make it legally binding to spend at least 2 percent of Dutch gross domestic product on defence.

The 26-page coalition agreement - titled 'hope, courage and pride' - also calls for examining the idea of moving the Dutch embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

'We will examine when the embassy can be moved to Jerusalem.' said the report. 

'It will be a very happy day when that happens... it's historic that it has a place in the coalition agreement,' Wilders added.

Asylum seekers at an application centre in Ter Apel, Netherlands

Refugees gather at the entrance of the refugee center in Ter Apel, Netherlands

On climate change, the coalition said it would not add any national restrictions on planet-warming emissions.

Offshore gas production in the North Sea would be increased, while the government would continue with plans to build four nuclear reactors in the coming decade.

Plans will be financed with 14 billion euros in spending cuts, including cuts of 2.5 billions euros for foreign development aid, a billion euros on government salaries, and 100 million euros on the public broadcaster's budget.

The deal brings together Wilders' PVV with the centre-right VVD, the new NSC party and the farmers' protest party BBB in a coalition with a strong majority of 88 seats in the 150-seat Lower House.

Since the election, support for the PVV and Wilders has only increased.

The far-Right has gained in elections across Europe.

Wilders told reporters it was a 'historic' day that his far-right PVV Freedom Party was now in government - 'at the centre of power'. 

'We are writing history today... the sun is going to shine again in the Netherlands,' said Wilders.

'Because the voices of millions of Dutch will be heard!'

Wilders

Pro-Palestine activists staging a huge demonstration outside the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

Police officers intervene after a demonstrator climbs onto a van of the mobile unit during the demonstration

Protesters took to the streets on the same day that the National Holocaust Museum opened

Dutch King Willem-Alexander (R) received a tour as part of the opening of the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

Dutch King Willem Alexander walking out of the National Holocaust Museum on the day of its opening

Pro-Hamas Demonstrators protest against Israel's President Isaac Herzog attending the opening of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

Pro-Hamas Demonstrators waved Palestine flags and lead chants outside the holocaust museum

Pro-Hamas Protesters

Wilders has been called the Dutch Donald Trump , threatened with death countless times by Islamic extremists, and convicted of insulting Moroccans.

Wilders is seen at London's Heathrow airport in February 2009, when he was turned away from entering Britain, for fear of upsetting Muslims.

Wilders is very fond of his cats, Snoetje and Pluisje. They have their own X (formerly Twitter) account, with nearly 23,000 followers

'Concrete steps will be taken towards the strictest ever entry rules for asylum and the most comprehensive ever package to control migration,' the agreement said. 'This will definitely make the Netherlands less attractive for asylum seekers,' Wilders said after the plans were presented. 'People in Africa and the Middle East will start thinking they might be better off elsewhere.' The Netherlands would join Hungary and Poland's former nationalist government in challenging EU migration policy. Admittance of foreign students to Dutch universities will become stricter, the coalition parties said.

Matteo Salvini, Italy's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, said: 'Congratulations to our friend Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV.'