Security service budget cuts must be reversed: parliament

A parliamentary majority wants budget cuts to the Dutch security service AIVD reversed, broadcaster Nos reports on Tuesday.

The call comes following a leaked report in which the AIVD said the planned cuts of €70m would leave it unable to keep an eye on Dutch jihadists returning to the Netherlands from Syria.

Alexander Pechtold, leader of the left-wing liberal D66, said the ‘badly thought through’ budget cuts must be swept from the table and that he expects home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk to come up with a solution.

The Socialists, Christian Democrats and anti-immigration PVV all agree the cuts must be reversed.

MPs from the coalition party VVD are happy to go along with reversing the cuts as long as there is financial cover from other government spending, Nos says.

Warnings

A number of experts have been warning the government for months that the planned cuts, which include reducing the workforce from 1,500 to 1,300, could end up paralysing the security service.

Currently 100 Dutch nationals are thought to be fighting abroad, mainly in Syria.

The Dutch counter-terrorism unit says they could form a serious risk to the Netherlands on their return.

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