Netherlands: Parliament approves “historic motion” to opt-out of EU asylum and migration policy

14.12.2023

The Netherlands will have the option to deviate from strict adherence to European asylum and migration policies, following a decision by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV party, hails this as a “historic motion.”

The motion, submitted by PVV, NSC, BBB, and VVD on Tuesday, advocates for an opt-out arrangement similar to Denmark’s, which has effectively managed mass immigration for two decades. The opt-out scheme allows a Member State to withdraw from a specific area of EU policy if it chooses not to participate, the Dutch press reported.

Denmark’s strict migration policy includes limited access to benefits and social services for newcomers, tightened conditions for family reunification, restricted labor market access for those lacking Danish language skills, and asylum seekers having to fund their own shelter.

The PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB aim to implement a similar opt-out scheme for future European plans and agreements. A majority in Parliament supported the motion on Wednesday, with parties like SGP, Forum for Democracy, and JA21 voting in favor. Geert Wilders calls the voting results ‘historic.’

The motion responds to a recent EU proposal to reform European treaties, abolishing the veto power of Member States in 65 different areas. The proposal includes making climate and environmental policy an ‘exclusive competence’ of the EU, mandating the euro in all member states, introducing an EU defense, and granting the EU more influence in education and ‘gender diversity’ areas.

Concerns about the proposal’s far-reaching federalist reforms have been voiced by many EU member states, including NSC MP Caspar Veldkamp, who emphasizes the importance of the Netherlands using the opt-out option to reduce obligations rather than consistently adding them.

https://www.voiceofeurope.com/netherlands-parliament-approves-historic-motion-to-opt-out-of-eu-asylum-and-migration-policy/