King Willem-Alexander said the ruling coalition would do “everything in its power to reduce the number of asylum applications.”
The Netherlands will implement a “faster” and “more rigorous” asylum policy, King Willem-Alexander said Tuesday in his traditional Prince’s Day speech, which sets the tone for government policy for the coming year.
Outlining the government’s priorities for the new session of Parliament, Willem-Alexander said the ruling right-wing and far-right coalition would do “everything in its power to reduce the number of asylum applications“which, he said, “puts pressure on the common way of life.”
“Keywords [da nossa política] they are: Faster, stricter and more restrictive“said the King, reading a speech written by Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
The speech is a major event in the Dutch political calendar, with the royal family parading in great pomp through the streets of the capital, The Hague. The royal family paraded in gilded carriages bearing royal insignia, flanked by squires dressed in traditional costumes.
The speech came just days after the coalition government unveiled the country’s toughest immigration measures ever in response to what Schoof described as an “asylum crisis.”
“As we approach the introduction of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum in 2026, The Netherlands will apply a much stricter admission regime“, said Willem-Alexander.
“Those who do not cooperate with an order to return to their country of origin will be punished and the measures to obtain a Dutch passport will be stricter,” he added.
The coalition, which includes Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), the BBB farmers’ party, the right-wing liberal VVD and the anti-corruption NSC party, is already undergoing changes.
Forming a government and drafting a government programme has already been a long and complicated task, and disagreements persist.
NSC interim parliamentary leader Nicolien van Vroonhoven said on Monday that his party only I would vote for drastic measures on immigration. if the advisory body of the Council of State gave the green light.
This statement angered Wilders, who stated on the social network
Wilders was the surprise winner of November’s election but gave up his prime ministerial ambitions after at least one coalition party threatened to walk out of talks.
Source: Observadora
