The far right PVV and the right-wing Liberal VVD are enthusiastic about introducing border checks in the Netherlands, in line with similar moves in Germany, and migration minister Marjolein Faber has already asked the border police to begin preparations.

Faber, who also represents the far-right PVV, said on social media she has instructed the Marechaussee, the military police force that controls the Netherlands’ borders, to start preparing to strengthen checks.

“In the meantime, we are talking to Germany about working together,” Faber said. The minister said she will update the rest of the government on progress at Friday’s cabinet meeting.

PVV leader Geert Wilders told reporters on Tuesday that he would like to see controls implemented “as soon as possible” and VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz has also indicated she is in favour of extra checks.

Germany plans to bring in border controls from Monday for six months, in an effort to combat illegal migration.

“I saw the minister say on television she just told the European Commission, and I thought, we can do that too,” Wilders said. The coalition agreement between the four partners includes a call for tougher border checks.

“What they are doing is super interesting, and we can do it too,” Yesilgöz told broadcaster NOS.

But coalition party NSC is less enthusiastic and says it is important that the checks do not damage the economy, through creating jams in border areas. In addition, the NSC attaches a great deal of importance to the free movement of people within the EU, MP Diederik Boomsma said.

Dutch exporters are concerned about the impact. “Six months of border controls will cost tens of millions of euros in waiting time alone,”  Geert van Eijk from export organisation Evofenedex told the Financieele Dagblad.

Dutch business associations VNO-NCW and MKB Nederland said in a joint statement they are concerned about the legality of border controls. “In general, in the wake of Brexit and coronavirus, we have all seen the negative effects of border controls,” the organisations said.