Border checks, burqa ban, and Gaza kids: Over 60 motions filed on budget
The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, concluded the budget debate by voting on over 60 motions filed on the Budget Day documents. The motions ranged from expanding border controls and the burqa to helping injured and starving children in Gaza, making clear that the parties have entered campaign mode, NOS and ANP report.
A significant number of motions secured a majority support, though whether they will be implemented will depend on the composition of the Tweede Kamer after the parliamentary elections on October 29.
A PVV motion to further expand border controls, despite an evaluation of the pricey measure showing that it did not stop asylum seekers from entering the country, got majority support. As did a motion by the same party to keep the mortgage interest deduction, despite experts' warnings that it is driving up home prices.
The VVD got a majority support for a motion to expand the burqa ban. The BBB passed a motion to repeal the asylum distribution law. There was also majority support for motions by the SP and DENK to combat childhood poverty and by GroenLinks-PvdA to combat energy poverty. Parliament also adopted a PVV and FvD motion to designate the left-wing anti-fascist movement Antifa as a terrorist organization.
A GroenLinks-PvdA motion to bring sick and injured children from Gaza to the Netherlands for medical care was narrowly rejected for the third time, with 74 votes in favor and 75 against.
PvdD leader Esther Ouwehand decided to protest the government’s refusal to acknowledge that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip by wearing a shirt that looks like the Palestinian flag. Tweede Kamer president Martin Bosma (PVV) sent her away and ordered her to change.
With only two weeks to go until the Tweede Kamer goes on election recess, it was clear that the parties were kicking off their campaigns early with the motions they filed. Parties submitted motions they knew wouldn’t gain sufficient support to make their positions known or to criticize other parties.
