In an extremely unusual move, MPs blocked a motion from Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration PVV party on Thursday evening, saying it was discriminatory and offensive.

The amendment called for a ban on the immigration of Muslims and was made by PVV MP Sietse Fritsma. MPs refused en masse to handle the motion.
The Socialists led the way with MP Jan de Wit rejecting the call for the motion as discriminatory, reports news service ANP. Labour described it as a scandal and Groenlinks said such a move did not belong in a constitutional state.
It is extremely unusual that parliament refuses to handle a motion, says ANP. After the debate, Labour MP Hans Spekman summed up the feelings of MPs: ‘We have said: up to here and no further’. ChristenUnie MP Ed Anker added: ‘It goes against the constitution. End of story.’
Fritsma said the MPs’ behaviour showed a lack of respect for a democratic party.
There has been increasing irritation among MPs over the past few months at the anti-Muslim stance of the PVV which many feel is unnecessarily provocative.
Earlier this week integration minister Ella Vogelaar launched a stinging attack on MPs who, she said, seemed to be involved in a contest to see who could be toughest on immigration issues.