The Dutch government, led by Geert Wilders’ nationalist PVV party, on Friday announced plans to implement measures to limit migration, including halting new asylum applications, following Germany’s introduction of new border controls, news reports said.
The government plans to declare a national asylum crisis, allowing actions without parliamentary approval, though opposition parties have questioned the legality of this move.
Migration Minister Marjolein Faber said the aim is to make the Netherlands less attractive to asylum seekers and argued that the measures align with existing national migration laws.
The government is also seeking an exemption from EU asylum rules, though this is likely to face resistance from Brussels, as opt-outs typically occur during negotiations, not after legislation has been adopted.
One of the first steps will be to stop issuing open-ended asylum permits and restrict family reunification options for those granted asylum. A crisis law is also in the works to suspend new asylum decisions for up to two years, alongside cuts to facilities for asylum seekers.
Geert Wilders’ PVV won last year’s election on promises to implement the strictest migration policies in the EU. He formed a coalition with three right-wing partners but stepped aside from becoming prime minister.
