Dutch cabinet on life support over family reunification rules for migrants

Disagreements over family reunification rules have put the Dutch cabinet on life support as coalition parties VVD (Renew) and Christian Union (CU/EPP) remain vastly divided on the issue.

The issue of migration has long been a bone of contention within the Dutch cabinet: while the centre-right VVD and CDA (EPP) advocated for a tougher stance on the matter, the CU and liberal D66 (Renew) call for a more humanitarian and “judicially feasible” approach within the framework of international agreements.

“We are in a conversation to reach an agreement on migration. This was one step in a process of steps,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte (VVD) stated early Friday morning following the crisis talks held between the four coalition parties.

Housing Minister Hugo de Jonge (CDA) was cautiously optimistic following the discussions, especially compared to the day before, where tensions were much more visible.

“It’s a big difference from yesterday. We have spoken for five hours now. You don’t do that if you don’t think you can come closer together,” he said.

“We have had really good conversations, but you’re not out of it until it’s finalised,” Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag (D66/Renew) stated following the negotiations, adding that her party” thinks there is already a strong package in place, but all four need to get along”.

The current standoff revolves around starkly differing opinions concerning family reunification rules, as the VVD is adamant about limiting family reunifications for war refugees to (a total of) 200 family members a month, including a waiting period of two years – a measure the CU and D66 vehemently opposed.

The coalition’s feud comes against the background of a reform of the Dutch migration system, which intended to divide asylum seekers into two separate groups: the first group would include those persecuted due to their political and religious convictions or sexual orientation, while the second group would consist of war refugees, whose stay is intended to be merely of temporary nature and who would enjoy fewer rights than the former group.

While CU and fellow coalition partner D66 (Renew) were willing to make concessions on other matters, like harsher measures against asylum abuse or the aforementioned division of asylum seekers into two groups, Rutte’s new family reunification proposal would be a step too far.

“There are things you can ask us, and there are things you cannot ask of us,” CU leader Mirjam Bikker commented on the proposal on Wednesday, adding that it does not cohere with the party’s self-perception as a family party.

Last month, voices from within the VVD had already stated that they would be willing to accept a fall of the cabinet if no significant progress in the migration matter was made, urging Rutte to act.

The cabinet will continue discussing the issue on Friday, with it being widely believed that a definitive decision on the matter needs to be made by next Monday at the latest, as Prime Minister Rutte, Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra (CDA/EPP) and Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren (D66/Renew) are set to attend the NATO summit in Vilnius starting next Tuesday.

(Benedikt Stöckl | EURACTIV.com)