It’s looking like the Netherlands vs the rest of Europe when it comes to restricting immigration. The Dutch government, supported in parliament by the populist Freedom Party of Geert Wilders, wants to cut immigration to the Netherlands by 30 percent over the next four years.

European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström says that’s not possible under current EU law. Plus, she says, the Netherlands is the only country right now pushing for restrictive EU immigration regulations.

So, is The Hague at the forefront of a coming era of stricter immigration into the EU? Or is the Dutch government simply pursuing its own domestic agenda, with little chance of ever seeing it through?

During a parliamentary debate on Wednesday evening, Immigration Minister Gerd Leers said he is doing his best to convince his European colleagues to adopt the new Dutch approach.

Pioneer
Mr Leers and the current Dutch cabinet feel the Netherlands is resuming its role as a ‘model’ country. In the 1970s and 1980s, this country saw itself as an example to others due to its progressive policies in controversial areas including sexuality and euthanasia.

The current government wants the Netherlands to play the role of pioneer once again – but this time, for stricter integration and immigration policies. The anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders is behind the idea of the Netherlands as a new model country. In exchange for the much-needed support of his Freedom Party, the minority cabinet is trying to implement Mr Wilders' immigration policies.

Road map
Hence, the government has pledged to restrict immigration, in part, by raising the bar for family unification. For instance, a Dutch citizen and a non-EU citizen would only be able to marry and settle in the Netherlands if both are over 24 years of age (up from 21), and if the immigrant partner passes a test proving greater attachment to the Netherlands than to his or her native country.

These and other proposals are contrary to current European Union guidelines governing family reunification. The Dutch government would need to convince all the other 26 EU countries to adopt the new regulations in order for them to become law.

Enter the indefatigable Minister Leers. He has drafted a Road Map, both literally and figuratively, setting out how he intends to persuade the rest of the EU. He has already visited a number of countries, and says his colleagues are ‘showing an interest’.

Showing interest
Opposition MPs are sceptical. They think Minister Leers will not be able to convince his European colleagues to adopt the strict Dutch policies and that he is wasting his time. Criticisms during the debate in parliament fell just short of ridicule. Labour Party MP Myrthe Hilkens says Mr Leers is trying to put a good spin on other countries’ interest in his ideas. She told him:

"You say other countries are showing interest in your ideas. Well, the opposition today has also shown interest in your ideas. Interest and agreement are very different."

Lone wolf
The Dutch opposition is sceptical partly because EU Commissioner Malmström, during a recent visit to the Netherlands, said other countries have not discussed the desire to change these immigration restrictions with her.

"They might have discussed it with each other, they probably have, but I meet them very often, they come to me with concerns, but this I have not been approached with."

Commissioner Malmström has initiated a review of EU policy on freedom of movement within the union, and hence on rules pertaining to family reunification. The first step in this review will be the publication in the autumn of a 'green book': an inventory of ideas from all the member states. That will be the first indication of whether or not the Netherlands is leading the pack, or off on its own.

A promise
In the face of Commissioner Malmström’s concern that the Netherlands is choosing a populist policy at the expense of EU norms, Geert Wilders was firm:

"One way or another, we want results, we want the policies in the governing agreement to be carried out. A promise is a promise."

But his fellow Freedom Party MP Sietse Fritsma speaking in parliament had a different message, saying it was too soon to pass judgment on the government and that it was a question of waiting for the wheels of the EU bureaucratic machine to turn. The Freedom Party, at the centre of power, is in no rush to pass judgment.