Wilders rejoices over unlikely Dutch EU migration opt-out request, dubs it ‘mini-Nexit’
Far-right PVV leader Geert Wilders described the Dutch official request to the European Commission to opt out of EU migration policy as a ‘mini-Nexit’, even though the Commission has already questioned its feasibility.
Geert Wilders, the leader of the PVV (PfE) – the party that came out on top in the last national elections – spoke about the Dutch request during a debate in the Dutch lower house.
“It will probably take a very long time. But still, this is a sign of a new wind blowing through the Netherlands”, said Wilders, describing the move as a “kind of mini-Nexit” in a nod to Brexit.
In its EU election manifesto, Wilders’ PVV party dropped the call for a so-called ‘Nexit’, as it did in 2019. In its manifesto for the 2023 national elections, PVV said it wanted a binding referendum to have the Dutch decide whether to leave the European Union.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dutch Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber (PVV, PfE) sent an official letter to EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, stating her government’s intentions.
“We need to be in charge of our own asylum policy again,” Faber wrote on X after sending the letter.
The Dutch opt-out request has been in the making since the new four-party government, led by independent Dick Schoof and which includes Wilder’s PVV, agreed in July to the toughest migration programme in the country’s history.
“An opt-out clause from the European asylum and migration policy will be submitted to the European Commission as soon as possible”, according to the political agreement, the aim of which is to reduce migration flows that are seen as putting pressure on the country’s health, education and housing sectors, among others.
Brussels not convinced
Although it was included in the coalition agreement, the announcement of the Dutch request for an opt-out surprised Brussels, which is less convinced of its feasibility.
“We, of course, take note of the letter”, a Commission spokesperson told the press on Wednesday.
The letter itself “acknowledges that an opt-out is only possible in view of the treaty change,” the spokesperson added, seemingly agreeing.
However, as no immediate changes to EU asylum and migration rules are expected, the current laws “continue to be binding for the Netherlands,” the Commission spokesperson added.
This means that in the meantime, the Netherlands will have to work on implementing the recently agreed EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which is a system of “mandatory solidarity” to which member states will have to adhere to in two years’ time.
“We have welcomed the fact that the minister said that (the Netherlands) will continue to prioritise the implementation of the (Migration) Pact, which is clearly a priority for the Commission”, the Commission spokesperson added.
Member States must now submit their implementation plans by the end of the year, detailing their concrete roadmap for implementing this law.
According to the Migration Pact, EU countries can choose between three options for asylum seekers: pay €20,000 for each rejected asylum seeker, housing them or financing operational support.
Earlier this year, the Dutch announced that they would pay rather than take on more asylum seekers.
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