Netherlands Unveils Strictest Asylum Policy in EU

The Dutch government, led by Geert Wilders' far-right Freedom Party, has announced plans for the strictest asylum policy in the EU, citing an 'asylum crisis' as justification. Key measures include strict border controls, limitations on family reunification, and a moratorium on new asylum applications, which will allow the government to bypass parliamentary approval for urgent actions. Migration Minister Marjolein Faber emphasized the need to make the Netherlands 'as unattractive as possible for asylum seekers' to address housing, healthcare, and education pressures. Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed the government will seek an opt-out from EU asylum policies, although EU officials have indicated that such requests are unlikely to be accommodated. Opposition parties have raised concerns about the legality and necessity of these measures, questioning the rationale given the relatively moderate number of asylum applications in the Netherlands. The government aims to implement these reforms swiftly, reflecting a significant shift in the country’s immigration stance.