Dutch parties split over deporting dual-nationality criminals

A debate over whether criminals with dual nationality convicted of serious crimes should be deported has exposed sharp divisions among Dutch political parties. Right-wing parties VVD and JA21 advocate for expelling such offenders, while D66, GroenLinks, and CDA oppose the measure.

The disagreement surfaced during a crime debate hosted by PowNed on Radio 1. GroenLinks-PvdA lawmaker Songül Mutluer criticized the idea, saying it is "not fair, dangerous, not rule-of-law compliant."

D66 representative Joost Sneller added that deportation constitutes "unequal treatment," noting that some cases involve Dutch citizens who cannot renounce their second nationality. CDA politician Derk Boswijk agreed, emphasizing, "These are people who were born in the Netherlands, who are just as Dutch as I am, and then you treat them differently."

JA21’s Ingrid Coenradie countered, stressing the gravity of the crimes involved: "Yes, but this is not about equal treatment over the number of coloring pages in kindergarten, right? This is about truly serious offenses." Boswijk acknowledged the need for strict measures but insisted that "it must be applied to everyone in the same way."