Amsterdam-Netherlands- In a recent television interview, Pieter Omtzigt, leader of the Dutch National Security Coalition (NSC), revealed that the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) had proposed making the ownership of a copy of the Koran punishable by up to five years in prison during cabinet formation talks earlier this year. Omtzigt described the negotiations as difficult at times, mentioning that the proposal was one of the “very difficult things” under consideration.
Omtzigt did not directly name the PVV, but implied it was their draft legislation that suggested severe penalties for possessing the Islamic holy book. “That was on the table,” he said.
This revelation sparked a sharp response from Caroline van der Plas, leader of the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB), the smallest party in the coalition. Van der Plas took to social media to dispute Omtzigt’s claim, insisting that the proposal had never been part of recent coalition talks. She clarified that the measure was a suggestion from years ago that had since been abandoned. “It was a proposal from years ago and nothing was done with it,” she wrote.
Omtzigt quickly countered, explaining that the measure was officially withdrawn on January 8, after the first meeting between the four coalition party leaders at De Zwaluwenberg country estate. He further noted that earlier negotiations in December 2023, led by Ronald Plasterk, had centered on discussions of the rule of law.
The PVV’s controversial proposal, one of several draft laws aimed at restricting Islamic practices, had already drawn criticism for potentially violating constitutional rights. On January 8, PVV leader Geert Wilders publicly announced that he was abandoning three draft laws, including the one that would have imposed prison sentences for “Islamic activities” such as owning a Koran or attending a Muslim school.
The proposed legislation had been seen as a contentious point in the coalition talks, with concerns that it violated fundamental freedoms. It was speculated that Wilders’ decision to back down from the proposal was partly influenced by the reluctance of the VVD and NSC parties to form a government with the PVV while such proposals were on the table.
Wilders has not yet commented on the ongoing dispute between Omtzigt and Van der Plas.
sorce : dutch news
