Anti-asylum seeker parties are playing a decisive role in forming governing coalitions in at least 43 of the Netherlands’ 342 municipalities, according to new research published
by NRC.
Following strong performances in the March 18 local elections, these parties have emerged as key power brokers in many councils. Their influence could have significant consequences for refugee housing across the country.
The report warns that plans for up to 13,000 refugee accommodation places — either proposed or already in development — may now be delayed or scrapped altogether due to growing local resistance.
The issue of establishing new asylum centres was a major theme during the elections. Just a month before the vote, the national settlement agency COA indicated that around 6,000 planned beds were already at risk, given the uncertain political climate.
In response, asylum minister Bart van den Brink issued an urgent appeal to municipalities, calling for increased efforts to provide housing for refugees.
Under national legislation designed to distribute responsibility more evenly, all Dutch municipalities are required to contribute to refugee accommodation. They must submit their plans to the government by December 1.
However, progress has been uneven. Earlier this year, NRC reported that around 100 municipalities had yet to provide any accommodation at all, despite the legal obligation.
Now, early signs suggest further setbacks. In Maasluis, near Rotterdam, the local party Leefbaar Maessluys secured 11 out of 26 council seats and has announced plans to withdraw from an agreement to house refugees on ships.
In Sliedrecht, election winner Slydregt.NU is seeking to cancel a preliminary deal with the COA. A similar stance has been taken in Hardenberg, where Doen’22 gained 10 of 33 seats.
“We’ve hosted the largest refugee centre in the province for the past decade,” said Piet-Cees van der Wel, leader of the Hardenberg party. “There’s nothing wrong with saying: not at this moment.”
The developments highlight the growing political tension between national asylum policy and local decision-making, raising questions about whether the Netherlands can meet its refugee housing commitments in the months ahead. Photo by © Antoine.01, Wikimedia commons.