Timmermans accuses Wilders of perpetuating asylum problems to win votes for PVV
The debate about the new PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB coalition and their plans for the next four years started with a bang. GroenLinks-PvdA leader Franst Timmermans accused far-right PVV leader Geert Wilders of not solving the asylum problems in the Netherlands because he needs this crisis for votes, NOS reports.
According to Timmermans, the new coalition scrapped the asylum distribution law, which obliged municipalities to take in their share of asylum seekers, because Wilders doesn’t want to solve the system's problems. “You want that problem to remain. The survival of the asylum crisis is essential for the survival of the PVV because if it's resolved, there is no longer any reason to follow Wilders,” Timmermans said. Wilders called that reasoning a “distorted worldview.”
Timmermans also accused the far-right politician of causing division in society and regularly attacking the democratic constitutional state. “You have called parliament a fake parliament. You have called judges D66 judges. You have attacked the institutions of the rule of law. You have turned a million people into second-class citizens.”
“Not true,” Wilders retorted. “We connect the Netherlands. People are sick of the Netherlands being overrun by asylum seekers.” According to him, many PvdA voters turned to the PVV because “they suffer from this in their neighborhoods.” He went on: “What we do is stand up for the Dutch and ensure that they are not disadvantaged by the people who arrive.”
Wilders started the debate by saying that he is very proud of the PVV's achievements: “From opposition to the center of power.” He said he received positive reactions, and members of the opposition parties are satisfied with the coalition agreement. “Many people are happy, and that is quite different from what we hear from the acid left. And here’s another one,” Wilders said as D66 leader Rob Jetten approached the microphone.
“Yes, get used to it. I will be standing here often,” Jetten responded to that comment.
The PVV leader also “joked” about not being the next Prime Minister. “I thought I would resign today, make Fleur Agema party leader, and offer myself as Prime Minister. But I don’t think Pieter Omtzigt would approve of that.”
