Refugee ban threatens to split coalition: report

The VVD's plan to abolish the European asylum policy and close the Netherlands' boarders to refugees, has caused some strife with coalition partner PvdA. The PvdA knows about the plan, but is not willing to cooperate in its implementation, NOS reports. PvdA Parliamentarian Attje Kuiken called the plan "unrealistic and unacceptable". The VVD wants refugees to find shelter and build a life for themselves in their own region, possibly with European aid, according to the internal policy memorandum of the party. This means that they will no longer be able to find shelter in the Netherlands or other European countries. "Only refugees from Europe should be able to get a place in another European country." VVD Parliamentarian Malik Azmani said about his memorandum. "The many billions of euros that the EU spends on asylum seekers in their own Member States can then help many more refugees." According to the VVD, the current migration policy facilitates human traffickers and the money that they ask of refugees are often used for the armed struggle against the West. It is also difficult to distinguish between genuine refugees, economic migrants and terrorists, which makes it difficult to filter out terrorists among asylum seekers. The VVD also thinks that the massive influx of refugees may lead to disruption of European societies. GroenLinks also disapproves of the VVD's plan. "With this proposal the VVD is really on the PVV-tour. I recommend that the VVD go have a look at the refugee camps along the Syrian border." said asylum spokesperson Linda Voortman. "This proposal also violates international agreements. The government must puncture this trial balloon as soon as possible."