Remaining coalition parties agree on plan to divide PVV's asylum, immigration tasks

The leaders of the three remaining parties in the governing coalition in the Netherlands have reached a deal on the handling of policy portfolios which were managed by the far-right PVV before that party’s leader, Geert Wilders, pulled his support. This includes policy related to asylum, migration and immigration, which all three remaining parties coveted. The VVD, NSC and BBB decided to divide those tasks amongst each other, they announced on Wednesday.

Although the coalition was quiet about the results of their talks, sources said the BBB will be responsible for developing a law to create a dual status asylum system. Thus far, this has been planned to create a distinction between those who are entitled to refugee status, and others wanting to start over in the Netherlands either as family members following a refugee who is granted residency.

The BBB would also tackle proposals to withdraw the law mandating the fair and proportionate distribution of asylum seekers based on municipal and provincial participation. The law has been controversial in some towns and cities who see the measure from the previous Cabinet as an overreach by the national government.

A package of stricter policies for asylum seekers is expected to be handled by the VVD, which will also likely take over issues related to border control. A minister from the NSC will deal with the European migration pact, and other remaining issues.

Sources close to the talks said the Ministry of Economic Affairs will be handled by the VVD, while the BBB will take control of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The NSC will be fill the role of State Secretary for Foreign Trade and development aid, which is a post within the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The NSC will also take charge of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, sources confirmed.

The parties have thus far refused to comment on the division of labor, saying they first want to present the plan to Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who is still in office in a caretaker capacity. Haggling over the responsibilities previously held by the PVV’s Cabinet members has been a sticking point since Schoof’s administration fell apart over a week ago.

The decision was made after a new round of talks between the factions, putting an end to the brief impasse. The idea to divide the Ministry of Asylum and Migration’s responsibilities into three parts was originally put forward by BBB leader Caroline van der Plas, the parties confirmed.

She said she was pleased the parties reached a deal. Dilan Yeşilgöz, the leader of the VVD, said she felt the “past few days” were “a waste,” continuing her stance that it was needless and irresponsible for Wilders to dramatically pull his support from the Cabinet.