Migration minister under heavy fire during spending plans debate – DutchNews.nl

Migration minister Marjolein Faber faced criticism from all sides of the political spectrum as she defended her department’s 2025 spending plans in parliament during a heated debate on Thursday.

Not only the minister’s asylum plans, including sending Syrians back to “safe” parts of the country, came under fire. She was also taken to task for failing to achieve anything in the four months since the government was sworn in and for failing to answer questions.

The VVD, CDA and JA21 said the minister was taking too long to come up with any legislation while the CDA and ChristenUnie said she was failing to involve local government in her plans.

Both far right party JA21 and the Socialists warned that her plans will run into trouble in the senate, while the SGP, CDA and Denk said her financial plans did not add up.

Faber is “all talk and no action,” said CDA leader Henri Bontenbal.

In particular, MPs are concerned about Faber’s plans to slash the number of jobs at the immigration service IND and the COA refugee settlement agency even though there is no suggestion that refugee numbers will fall.

The most recent forecasts by the COA suggest 166,000 beds will be needed by 2028, but the minister is basing her plans on 25,000.

“You are driving into a brick wall,” said Denk leader Stephan van Baarle. “There is no way this is a realistic budget,” said Bontenbal.

Faber further irritated MPs with her response. “The budget has been drawn up in line with the rules and approved by the finance ministry,” she said. “There are no reasons for concern. I am not going to be sidelined by these sorts of discussions.”

The deal drawn up by the four coalition parties will “really bring down” the number of refugees, she said.

Prime minister Dick Schoof, however, told reporters at the presentation of the deal it will be a question of wait and see what the impact is.

Faber said she is “cleaning up the mess” left by four Rutte-led cabinets. “Let us show daring,” she said. “The courts won’t allow it, it’s sad, this can’t be done, that can’t be done… let us just give it a go. I am fed up with all this.”

This year refugee numbers are likely to be slightly lower than last year, at around 50,000, which is well below earlier government estimates.