In an atmosphere of crisis, the cabinet debated the cabinet’s migration plans on Wednesday evening. Rutte would have reported in advance – according to NOS – that he would be willing to bring down his government on the matter. But after the meeting he was more positive and he denied there was a “crisis”.
Other ministers described the talks on fighting the influx of asylum seekers as “tough” and “resolute”. According to political journalist Leendert Beekman, ministers still deny that there is a crisis within the cabinet. “But the boiling point has been reached, we can say. The VVD has pushed things to the limit’, says the parliamentary journalist. But that things are really difficult is also demonstrated by the ‘heavy delegation’ of the cabinet who sat at the negotiating table. “They were there with no less than nine ministers.”
“It will be difficult to find a solution if you do not agree on the problem”
Beekman noted that people were more positive about consulting beforehand. “The atmosphere afterward was much less good than when they entered the Ministry of General Affairs.” This was particularly evident from Secretary of State for Asylum Eric van der Burg, who said it was “well said”, but “firmly”.
I disagree on the issue
The four sides want a “grip” on the number of asylum seekers arriving in the Netherlands, but the VVD and CDA are calling for a much tougher policy than D66 and ChristenUnie. The VVD in particular, through Prime Minister Mark Rutte, wants to ensure that fewer asylum seekers end up in the Netherlands for its supporters. The party has set a deadline within the cabinet for next Friday, if no agreement is reached by then, the cabinet risks falling.
Before then, a series of consultations will therefore take place to reach an agreement between the four coalition parties. Ultimately, the government parties hope to reach an agreement before next Friday, during the Council of Ministers.
What is striking is that there is little urgency for D66 and ChristenUnie to reach an agreement. ‘According to them, there’s no big deal at all and there’s not much to do about the influx. This also makes it difficult to find a solution if you don’t agree on the problem at all,’ says Beekman.
Last year, VVD leader Rutte promised the VVD faction and angry and worried VVD members that he would take personal steps to limit the influx of asylum seekers. At the last VVD congress, in early June, he reiterated that promise. VVD party chairwoman Sophie Hermans then called on Rutte to hurry up. She and other VVD lawmakers said they couldn’t rule out pulling the plug if there isn’t a solid package before the summer.
These are the options
Several options are on the table inside the cabinet to limit the influx of asylum seekers. For example, a maximum number of asylum seekers is being considered by introducing a “target number”. Furthermore, a “two-status system” is also on the table, as is also being implemented in various other EU countries. Within this system, a distinction is made between refugees who will remain permanently in the host country and refugees seeking temporary protection. But inside the toilet people are still divided on the package that is on the table. The VVD in particular would find the approach too short.
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.
