Dutch Minister of Migration Marjolein Faber has refused to sign off on awarding a royal distinction to five former asylum volunteers.
“I stand for a strict asylum policy because I want to drastically reduce the influx and also the number of residency permits,” the minister said, explaining her decision.
Marjolein Faber belongs to Geert Wilders’ right-wing nationalist Party for Freedom (PVV), the largest party in the four-party centre-right government. The PVV wants to tighten asylum laws and halt illegal migration to the Netherlands.
Geert Wilders agreed with Faber, saying on his X account, “Why should we reward people who help pamper asylum seekers with a royal ribbon?”
Waarom zouden we mensen die meewerken aan het pamperen van asielzoekers belonen met een Koninklijk lintje? Klasse actie van Faber. pic.twitter.com/ipIL7ALaos
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) March 30, 2025
The minister’s signature is a formality and its absence won’t alter the fact that the five former volunteers of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) will receive their awards. Faber’s action is more symbolic than anything.
The other three coalition parties and the opposition parties were outraged with the minister’s announcement. The leader of the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), Dilan Yeşilgöz said the country should “thank volunteers for their efforts.” Geert Wilders has previously threatened to break up the existing government coalition and call fresh elections if his migration vision is not adopted.
