The previous government collapsed due to migration issues, which remained a significant topic during the election campaign. Jetten positioned himself in opposition to far-right leader Geert Wilders, whose Party for Freedom has long dominated the immigration debate.
In the coalition text, the new government aims to maintain a strict immigration policy while avoiding replicating Wilders’ rhetoric and alienating progressive voters.
The plan highlights the EU’s migration reforms, including efforts to enhance deportations, as an initial move toward better control over immigration. The Dutch government intends to lead in advocating for changes to international refugee laws, including hosting an asylum summit.
The document also notes that the Netherlands will assert its position in EU discussions about return and transit centers to ensure that migrants are never sent to countries where they face persecution and will suspend a contentious agreement with Uganda regarding its use as a transit point for rejected asylum seekers.
After veering towards Euroskepticism under the previous government, Jetten is realigning the Netherlands with Brussels, advocating for closer cooperation.
This applies to defense, where the agreement targets 40 percent of procurement to be conducted “jointly with European partners,” as well as migration.
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