The right-wing Dutch cabinet plans to suspend some laws relating to foreign nationals in the Netherlands so it can limit refugee numbers by bypassing parliament and the senate, sources have told broadcaster NOS.

That would enable asylum minister Marjolein Faber to suspend family reunions and place limits on the number of times people can appeal against a negative decision, without MPs’ approval, NOS said.

Faber herself told MPs on Thursday evening that she wants to declare a “refugee crisis” for one or two years. “People are experiencing a refugee crisis, systems are breaking down when it comes to healthcare, education and housing,” she said.

This, she said, means the government can no longer carry out its constitutional tasks, hence the need for emergency measures.

The cabinet has also sent an official request to Brussels for an “opt-out” which would exempt the Netherlands from some EU legislation.

Toughest regime

The coalition agreement between the four parties said they planned to bring in “the toughest asylum regime ever”.

Opposition parties have reacted furiously to the suggestion that the cabinet bypass parliament but Faber says this is legally possible in an “emergency”. “I am keeping to the rules,” she said. “I am keeping within the lines and I am able to use this instrument.”

The question will ultimately be up to the European Court of Justice, but sources in The Hague told NOS the cabinet feels it can take steps to limit refugee numbers before the court has its say.

An opt-out of European rules will take several years, if it is possible at all.

In the first six months of this year, 16,700 people made an initial application for refugee status in the Netherlands and 5,800 family members joined close relatives who were already here. Both figures are up by roughly 1,500 on the same period in 2023.