AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch far proper chief Geert Wilders, who received essentially the most seats in an election three months in the past however has to this point didn’t kind a brand new coalition authorities, stated on Monday the Netherlands was “Europe’s idiot” for accepting too many Ukrainian refugees.
Wilders opposes persevering with navy help to Ukraine, arguing that the Netherlands must hold its weapons to defend itself. The place is one among a number of points dividing his far proper Freedom Get together (PVV) from potential coalition companions.
“Ukrainians are coming to the Netherlands in droves, not due to the warfare, however at no cost housing, free care and our jobs,” Wilders stated in a submit on X. “As soon as once more, we’re Europe’s idiot.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated this weekend that Dutch help for Ukraine was assured for the long run, as Wilders wouldn’t be capable of discover any coalition accomplice prepared to help his purpose of chopping it.
Wilders, in his submit, responded to an article in Dutch every day Telegraaf, which quoted the Dutch central registration facility for Ukrainian refugees as saying it was reaching capability.
A neighborhood official instructed the newspaper this was primarily on account of an inflow of Ukrainian males coming from different EU member states seeking a job, medical care or to reunite with household.
For the reason that begin of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine virtually two years in the past greater than 100,000 refugees from Ukraine have come to the Netherlands.
Beneath a short lived EU safety mechanism, Ukrainian refugees have the correct to journey by way of the EU to stay and work in any member state till no less than March 2025.
(Reporting by Bart Meijer)
