Dutch Government Led by Hard Right Asks for Formal Opt-Out From EU Migration Rules

The new Dutch government dominated by the far-right party of Geert Wilders officially asked the European Union for an exemption from its migration obligations on Wednesday, setting up a confrontation over one of the most explosive issues facing the bloc at a time when support for anti-immigration parties in Europe is rising.

Dutch Migration Minister Marjolein Faber of Wilders’ party wrote to the European Commission that the Netherlands wants out of regulations for accepting refugees, claiming that otherwise one of the wealthiest countries in the world would struggle to provide public services.

“I have just informed the EU Commission that I want a migration opt-out within Europe for the Netherlands. We need to be in charge of our own asylum policy again!” Faber said.

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During Wednesday’s debate in parliament, Wilders called the move a “a sort of mini-Nexit,” a play on “Netherlands” and “exit,” and much like Brexit. He has repeatedly called for the country to depart the European Union during his three-decade long career but the move is not currently part of any government plans.

In a letter to Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Faber insisted that the government needed to “drastically reduce the volume of migration to the Netherlands, in order to continue to fulfil our constitutional duties — providing for public housing, healthcare and education.”

On Tuesday, the government, which came to power in July, announced its policy blueprint for the coming year, including stricter policies to hold back or kick out migrants who don’t qualify for asylum.

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