Dutch citizens have started organizing their own border checks along the German border, receiving both acknowledgment and backlash from populist leader Geert Wilders and former politicians.
Following the collapse of the government in The Hague—due to Union Partners rejecting the strict border control measures proposed by Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom (PVV)—a group of Dutch citizens took it upon themselves to initiate checks at the Dutch-German border over the weekend.
Reports from German media state that a Dutchman crossed into Germany’s Lower Saxony and halted traffic on highway 408 near a reception center suspected of housing asylum seekers in Ter Apel. Roughly 12 citizen-led border patrols reportedly halted vehicles and checked trunks for illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country.
Deputy Minister of Immigration David Van Deen mentioned, “I understand frustration,” acknowledging that there needs to be a reduction in the number of asylum seekers. However, he cautioned that citizens shouldn’t take the law into their own hands, urging, “Let the police and military handle it. We’ll follow the law.”
Wilders was critical of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) politicians, labeling their inaction as “weakness.” He claimed that rising public frustration stems from the VVD’s failures in addressing the illegal immigration issue: “If people are getting frustrated, that’s because VVD is totally failing,” he remarked.
Politicians opposed to mass migration have expressed support for the Dutch citizens’ actions, referring to it as a “great initiative.” Wilders commented that similar actions should happen at borders everywhere. He indicated that if the government doesn’t send troops to the borders, civilians would need to act. “I want to join in next time!” he added.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Mark Rutte, currently serving as NATO Chief, has stated he won’t collaborate with Wilders’ party if they don’t manage the immigration crisis before the next elections in 2023.
The alternative candidate, Turkish-born Dirun Yesilgöz, expressed intentions for her Centre-Right Party to forge alliances with the GroenLinks-PVDA (GreenLeft-Labour) coalition, led by EU Green New Deal architect Frans Timmermans, for the upcoming elections.
This election was prompted by Wilders’ announcement that his party would withdraw from the governing coalition that included the Farmers and Civic Movement (BBB) and the New Social Contract (NCC), and focus on strict immigration controls in the 2023 elections.
Even though his party led the polls in the last election, Wilders has been forced into a kingmaker role due to other parties’ refusal to support him for Prime Minister. He criticized the VVD and Yesilgöz for attempting to “push the Netherlands to the left.”
Wilders warned that this shift would result in increased asylum seekers and Islam’s influence but noted, “The voters will decide. We aim to make PVV the largest party so that everyone must pay attention to us.”
However, the VVD’s alignment with Timmermans could hinder Wilders’ chances of returning to government, as polling indicates that he and his potential allies may not attain the 76 seats needed in the House of Representatives to govern without the VVD.
