“Accept Dutch Society’s Values, or Leave Our Country”
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands has asked migrants, particularly Muslim migrants, to either behave normally or leave the Netherlands. Analysts assess these statements as a shift to the right ahead of Dutch elections.
The issue centers on the upcoming elections in the country. Elections scheduled to be held on March 15. Mark Rutte is the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and a liberal politician with right-wing leanings. As the Dutch elections approach, he is seeking to attract right-wing populist votes in his favor. For this reason, he has raised the issue of Dutch society’s values and put pressure on Muslim migrants.
Rutte used both major Dutch newspapers to publish his views. In a letter “addressed to all Dutch people,” he asked migrants, particularly Muslim migrants, to either accept the values of Dutch society or leave the soil of this country.
Competition with Geert Wilders
There is less than two months left until the Dutch elections. Surveys show the leading position of the leader of Dutch populists, Geert Wilders, who is the leader of the “Party for Freedom.” This party holds radical positions and policies against Muslims and European Union membership.
Wilders has repeatedly insulted migrants and Muslims. Last December, a court in the Netherlands found him guilty in connection with a case of insulting migrants. A ruling that carried no punishment for Wilders and his party. The court judge said that merely being found guilty serves as punishment for this politician.
The issue dates back to Wilders’ speech in 2014. At that time, Wilders addressed people in The Hague, asking whether they wanted more Moroccans to live in their city and the Netherlands or fewer Moroccans. And people replied that they want to reduce the number of Moroccans, and Wilders responded by saying we will fulfill your wish.
Mark Rutte’s statements were made precisely with the intention of attracting supporters of the “Party for Freedom” and other right-wing forces in the Netherlands. Statements that will make life harder for migrants, particularly Muslim migrants, in the Netherlands.
Source: DW
