AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The Netherlands looks set to introduce border controls as part of a raft of measures aimed at limiting immigration, Dutch broadcaster RTL reported on Wednesday, citing government sources.
The border controls would come into effect at the end of next month, following a similar move by neighbouring Germany which already suspended the freedom of the passport-free Schengen zone in September to tackle illegal immigration.
The border checks are part of a broader clampdown on migration proposed by the Dutch right-wing coalition, led by anti-Muslim nationalist Geert Wilders’ PVV party.
Measures also include limiting asylum permits to a maximum of three years, and restricting possibilities for asylum seekers who are allowed to stay to reunite with family members, RTL said.
These plans were already part of the coalition agreement the parties reached in July, following Wilders’ resounding election victory almost a year ago.
But it took the parties months to reach a compromise on the way forward, as Wilders insisted on declaring a national asylum crisis that would enable the government to bypass parliament.
Such a move, however, was opposed not only by opposition parties but also by one of the PVV’s coalition partners, who all questioned whether it was necessary or even legal.
As a compromise, the new set of measures will be put up for a vote in both the Lower House, where the government has a majority, and the Senate, where it is likely to get enough support from outside the coalition to pass.
The Dutch migration ministry was not immediately available for comment.
(Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Richard Chang)
