In a major win for conservative, after months of negotiations four Dutch political parties reached a coalition agreement on Thursday that shifts the government firmly into conservative nationalist control.
The “Hope, Courage and Pride” deal outlines strict measures regarding illegal immigrants, such as scrapping family reunification for refugees and seeking to reduce the number of international students staying longterm in the Netherlands.
The 26-page document states: “Deport people without a valid residence permit as much as possible, even forcibly.”
Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom, proclaimed that the agreement enshrines the core of his party’s program on immigration.
While the deal continues existing plans to combat climate change, it also includes concessions to farmers who have protested recent environmental regulations.
Other key points involve increasing social housing, stricter sentencing for serious crimes, capping property taxes, and legally mandating that the Netherlands spend 2% of GDP on defense in line with NATO targets.
The coalition consists of the Party for Freedom, the outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s party, and two others including the Farmers Citizens Movement. The parties have not yet agreed on who will become the next prime minister, though speculation centers on a technocrat from outside the party structures.
As populist parties gain influence across Europe, the Dutch coalition agreement signals a rightward shift, especially on immigration policy.