Halt to child refugee deportations urged, pending coalition talks

Labour leader Diederik Samsom does not want the new-look parliament to organise an immediate vote on an amnesty for child refugees because it could hurt the coalition talks, Nos television reports on Thursday.


The broadcaster says Samsom has indicated to Labour and ChristenUnie activitists that he wants to deal with the issue in a coalition agreement.
It is not clear if supporters of the amnesty for children who have lived in the Netherlands for eight years will press ahead with a vote. ChristenUnie leader Arie Slob told Nos radio he understands Samsom’s position and does not want to force the issue.
Temporary stop
Instead, there should be a temporary halt to deportations pending the formation of a new government, Slob said.
There is now majority support for the measure in the lower house of parliament but the right-wing VVD is opposed.
Samsom and VVD leader Mark Rutte are currently in talks on forming a new governing alliance after both parties made major gains in last week’s general election.

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