It is possible to talk about migration with ChristenUnie, provided the plans are ‘legally sustainable and feasible’, ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker stressed at her party congress in Apeldoorn. She also believes that an influx of 70,000 asylum seekers is not sustainable in the long run.
The government wants to rapidly reduce the number of people seeking asylum in the Netherlands. Especially the largest governing party VVD (and also the CDA) insists on this. The ChristenUnie, like the D66, is much less armored. Bikker didn’t want to say how much there is room for. According to her, these numbers are still bearable.
Bikker made it clear that there will always be room for refugees. ‘I also try to clarify that it’s easy to talk to me about the long term. Let us also talk about the short term, provided that the conditions are met. So legally feasible and policy improvement.’
For the VVD, asylum is ‘the most important issue for which a solution must now be found’. For Bikker it is different. “Before you know it, that’s all we’re talking about. But there is more going on.’ For her, there are also other urgent issues such as the fight against poverty. The cabinet has been trying for months to find solutions to reduce the influx. The shelter faces serious shortcomings. Prime Minister Mark Rutte has put the matter back on the agenda in Europe. But there must also be national measures.
ChristenUnie leader Bikker: “Question justified if we belong to the coalition” https://t.co/7LM9h4SQdp
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“Tough Plans”
It doesn’t help to throw “difficult plans” into the air in this discussion, said Bikker, who has been the leader of ChristenUnie since February. He refers, among other things, to the idea of ​​the prominent VVD Henk Kamp to withdraw from the UN refugee treaty if necessary. “Be honest about what works in the short and long term.”
According to her, the Netherlands will not be able to solve everything on their own. Agreements will also have to be made in the EU, including on the distribution of refugees and good reception in the region. ChristenUnie wants to improve reception, among other things, by investing more money in the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) and in the Immigration Service IND. The party also believes that labor migration should be considered.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
