The new right-wing government in the Netherlands is halting its payments for housing rejected asylum seekers. Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber announced that starting on January 1, 2025, the state contribution for the accommodation of "people who should have left long ago will be stopped."

She stated that she had discussed the matter with the five major cities where emergency housing is provided under the so-called "bed-bath-bread" rule. "I am advocating for deportation, not subsidized housing," said the minister, who belongs to the right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders.

Also read: Incoming Dutch right-wing government takes aim at migration

Amsterdam wants to continue payments

Since 2019, rejected asylum seekers in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, and Groningen have been provided with basic necessities to prevent them from becoming homeless and causing disturbances. These cities are now free to continue supporting these refugees at their own expense. Amsterdam has already announced it will continue to do so, at least for the coming year.

According to the public broadcaster NOS, the Dutch government had been spending around 30 million euros annually on housing rejected asylum seekers. This was seen as an interim measure until the migrants could return to their home countries, move to another country, or be granted residency in the Netherlands.

Also read: Four arrested over fatal attack on asylum seeker Abdi Raage in Holland

Immigration as a central policy

New Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof has made reducing immigration a key priority for his government, which has sparked accusations of racism. Speaking to parliament, Schoof denied these allegations and emphasized that migration is a significant issue, stressing its impact on social services and cohesion.

The new coalition government which includes ministers from the far-right PVV, such as Faber, is known for inflammatory statements. The government's plan includes strict asylum policies, including ending family reunifications and cutting international student numbers. Critics argue that the focus should be on improving asylum-seeker accommodations rather than restricting migration.

Also read: Dutch prime minister vows to reduce immigration, denies cabinet is racist

Germany taking tougher stance towards asylum seekers

In Germany an increasing number of politicians have been pushing for restrictions on payments for asylum seekers and as well as for deportations.

In Germany, FDP politician Joachim Stamp has also called for cutting social benefits for all individuals who are required to leave the country. "Those who are immediately obligated to leave should only receive a ticket for a flight home and a small amount of start-up aid of a few hundred euros upon arrival in their destination country," the former Integration Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland this week.

Last week, on 30 August, Germany resumed deportations of convicted Afghan criminals following months of secret negotiations mediated by Qatar. The deportations had been suspended since the Taliban's 2021 takeover due to human rights concerns.

The resumption comes amid growing pressure on the government, following recent violent attacks and ahead of regional elections where migration is a key issue. The deportations have sparked controversy, with critics like ProAsyl accusing the government of normalizing relations with the Taliban. Berlin has denied this, stating it has no intention of normalizing ties with the Taliban regime.

Also read: Germany to tighten asylum laws after Solingen attack – what are the measures?

With dpa