Wilders leaves coalition talks early, divisions
loom on asylum
April 15,
2024
https://www.dutchnews.nl/2024/04/wilders-leaves-coalition-talks-early-divisions-loom-on-asylum/
Far-right
leader Geert Wilders left the ongoing negotiations on forming a new coalition
government early on Monday, following “tough talks” about finances and measures
to reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to the Netherlands.
The talks
were due to continue until 7 pm but Wilders left at around 3.30 pm. Political
sources have told Dutch media he considers the proposed measures to limit
refugee numbers did not go far enough.
The talks
leaders said Wilders did not leave in anger.
However, the PVV leader said on social media on Monday evening that he
has “finished making concessions”.
“It is
their turn to deliver,” he said.
Wilders
also reposted a social media message from RTL Nieuws which stated that he was
speechless about the outgoing government’s plans to spend more money on
refugees.
Monday’s
spring financial statement includes extra funding for emergency accommodation
topping €1 billion over the next two years.
The
outgoing government is still in power pending an agreement about a new
coalition and is continuing to press ahead with policy.
The
publication of the spring statement – an interim budget that the cabinet
traditionally publishes in May to solve any issues that have developed since
the September budget presentation – took
place on Monday at the behest of the parties hoping to form a right-wing
government.
The four
party leaders have now reported back to their parliamentary parties and the
talks will resume on Tuesday morning, broadcaster NOS said. “It is not easy,
but we will continue tomorrow, full of confidence,” Richard van Zwol said.
Last week
it became clear that the four parties – Wilders’ PVV, the pro-farmer BBB, the
Liberal NSC and CDA split-off NSV, were divided over money – in particular
plans to give extra funding to Ukraine.
They also
disagree about dealing with the manure mountain and the future of the public
broadcasting system as well as curbing immigration and asylum requests.
One month
The two
negotiators have been given until mid-May to come up with a more concrete
agreement which should then lead to the formation of an “extra-parliamentary”
cabinet, which includes ministers who are experts rather than party members.
So far,
candidate ministers and a possible prime minister have not reportedly been the
subject of discussions.
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