PVV bends: Cabinet won’t declare asylum “emergency”; Will send strict law to Parliament
Dutch far-right nationalist party PVV showed rare flexibility within a divided coalition over the issue of declaring a national state of emergency regarding people seeking asylum in the Netherlands. The PVV was in favor of such a declaration, which gives the Cabinet of Prime Minister Dick Schoof the ability to circumvent Parliament and established law regarding the treatment of asylum-seekers. Coalition partner NSC strongly preferred to instead send a bill to Parliament with a request it be urgently debated.
The breakthrough between the two parties on a compromise was first reported by RTL Nieuws. Sources told the broadcaster that a set of far-reaching strict measures regarding immigration policy will be sent to both the Tweede and Eerste Kamers, the lower and upper houses of Parliament.
These measures will still align with both the coalition agreement, and the Cabinet’s platform. However, the prospect of declaring a state of emergency is now off the table.
The terms of the agreement must still be weighed by the other two coalition parties, the VVD and BBB. They will reportedly be informed later on Wednesday. It is not yet clear when they could decide whether to approve the proposal. Schoof has repeatedly pushed for a firm deadline ending this Friday for the four parties to come to an agreement.
The two parties which reached a deal could put an end to indefinite residency for asylum seekers, and could cap the validity of fixed residency periods for those granted asylum status at three years, reported NOS. The maximum is currently five years, but three years is “more in line with neighboring countries,” NOS reported based on a leaked copy of the deal.
Additionally, the PVV and NSC may look to prevent unmarried partners from joining those granted asylum. Further, it could do the same for family reunification that allows adult children of those with asylum status to then reside in the Netherlands. The Cabinet also wants to make it easier to declare an individual as being “undesirable” when they are convicted of a crime.
The Dutch Cabinet could also attempt to declare certain regions of Syria as “safe” to then send asylum seekers back to that country. It is also under consideration whether to send Syrians with legal residency back to that country, NOS reported.
Further, the Cabinet may look to re-introduce border controls for people traveling within the Schengen area by invoking Article 25 of the Schengen deal. Establishing internal borders is only allowed “as a last resort, in exceptional circumstances,” according to the European Commission. This can last for up to 30 days at a time, with the possibility of renewing the term up to a maximum of six months.
Should the BBB and VVD agree to the compromise, it remains to be seen whether the Cabinet would find majority support in the Eerste Kamer. While the Cabinet has majority support in the Tweede Kamer, they would need eight more senators in the Eerste Kamer to hop on board with the plan.
