Wilders threatens to break coalition: strict asylum policy in the Netherlands!

Wilders threatens to break coalition: strict asylum policy in the Netherlands!

Geert Wilders, chairman of the radical rights "Party for Freedom" (PVV), has announced ambitious plans for the redesign of asylum policy in the Netherlands. After months of coalition negotiations, a government was formed that is made up of four parties: In addition to the PVV, these are the new social contract (NSC), the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Bauer Citizens' Movement (BBB). While the PVV is part of the government for the first time, it is under considerable pressure to fulfill its populist promises on asylum policy. According to Krone Wilders wants to implement his radical asylum promise quickly after not doing a ministerial office last year.

The coalition has been heavily criticized since its forguring in July 2024, in particular on the basis of PVV's demands on asylum policy. Wilders has presented a list of ten demands that include drastic measures to control migration and to change the asylum procedure. The demands include the closure of the limits for all asylum seekers and the return of around 60,000 Syrian refugees to their homeland. In addition, family reunification for recognized refugees is to be prevented, and delinquent people with double nationality are to be shown. These demands were described by ZDF as part of a comprehensive and strict asylum policy.

strict measures in focus

To achieve his goals, Wilders planned to proclaim the "asylum crisis" and to demand the use of the army for border control. At the same time, he would like to tip the previous distribution law for refugees and make sure that refugees are no longer preferred when assigning social housing. The coalition also intends to reintroduce border controls and the negotiation of an exceptional clause in EU asylum policy. These developments could have far-reaching consequences for asylum and migration policy in the EU.

reactions at home and abroad

The reactions to Wilders' demands are mixed. While he finds backing in his domestic basis, critics warn of the potentially devastating effects of such politics on human rights and humanitarian aid. The EU countries are currently under pressure to agree on a fairer distribution of refugees, while Eastern European countries are still relying on foreclosure. These discussions come in an environment in which pushbacks from migrants and the use of physical barriers are increasing to limits, which further heats up the debate about asylum and migration in Europe.

The coming months should be decisive for how the asylum policy will develop in the Netherlands and beyond. In view of the explosive topics of migration and asylum, violent political arguments can be expected, both at national and European level.