Netherlands: far-right minister sparks controversy
After a heated controversy in the Dutch parliament, the right-wing populist asylum and migration minister Marjolein Faber has survived a vote of no confidence but has been sharply criticised from within the government. Faber is boycotting the awarding of a royal distinction to five former asylum volunteers by withholding her signature. The national press comments.
Undermining the rule of law
NRC columnist Hubert Smeets sees the country's democratic principles in jeopardy:
“She sent out the 'signal' that there is a distinction between real and fake Dutch people. If things carry on like this, it won't be long before those who stand up for foreigners will be labelled traitors or enemies of the people. And it doesn't stop there: Prime Minister Dick Schoof has thus given her free rein to violate the constitutional order. The affair surrounding the awarding of the royal distinction may seem trivial but it's not. The undermining of the democratic constitutional state always begins with the erosion of a pluralistic parliament.”
Wilders laughing up his sleeve
Fear is a bad advisor for the government, Trouw laments:
“The incompetence of this minister has been obvious to everyone ever since she took office. As long as the government and coalition tolerate Faber in this position, The Hague has bigger problems than just her poor performance. Apparently the fear of the consequences of her resignation - such as a collapse of the government - holds more sway than the realisation that someone is being kept in office who wants nothing more than obstruction. ... As a result, the debate in the country and in the media has centred for days on what the conferral of royal orders of merit means - and on asylum policy. That's exactly what right-wing populist Geert Wilders likes to see.”