Migration undermining EU’s cohesion

Just days after Germany's unilateral move to enhance border restrictions, the new Dutch coalition government, led by Geert Wilders' far-right Party For Freedom (PVV), has asked the EU for an opt-out from the asylum rules in a letter to the Commission.

Dutch Migration Minister Marjolein Faber declared, "We must take back control of asylum policy."

This time, the Commission's response was immediate, categorically ruling out such a possibility.

The move, only a few months after the formation of a coalition government in the Netherlands, was a campaign promise made by the PVV. While Wilders did not manage to become prime minister, Faber is a member of his party.

The pursuit of an opt-out clause from the European asylum system had been discussed since last July, but was only confirmed last week by the Dutch government.

European officials, however,...