Maassluis council upholds zero asylum‑seeker shelters; mayor receives police protection

In the Dutch municipality of Maassluis, the governing coalition of Leefbaar Maassluys and the VVD voted to keep the policy of “zero asylum‑seeker reception places” in their coalition agreement. The parties rejected any amendment to the clause, despite mayor Jack de Vries’ opposition. Currently two ships in Maassluis provide about 140 asylum‑seeker beds; the new agreement foresees the contracts with the COA ending in December 2024 and April 2027, effectively aiming for no reception capacity.

Mayor De Vries, who argues that municipalities must comply with the national spreading law (Spreidingswet) and keep reception places available, was granted police protection at his home after receiving threats. He recounted children asking, “Dad, why are you doing this?” during a family dinner. The coalition’s motion was supported only by Leefbaar Maassluys and the VVD, while opposition parties (GroenLinks‑PvdA, CDA, D66) backed a motion in support of the mayor.