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Facing an upcoming electoral challenge from a populist far-right party, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte released an open letter Monday that offered a thinly veiled warning to immigrants: “Act normal or go away.”
Rutte's letter was published in a full-page newspaper advertisement and promoted on social media by his party, the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
In his message, the prime minister said he understood there were growing concerns in the Netherlands about those coming into the country who don't integrate. “People who don't want to adapt, [who are] attacking our habits and rejecting our values,” Rutte wrote, “who attack gay people, who shout at women in short skirts, or call ordinary Dutch people racist.”
“I understand the people who think that if you so fundamentally reject our land, I prefer that you leave,” the letter said. “As it happens I have that feeling too. Act normal or go away.”
Rutte repeated his message in a separate interview with the AD newspaper, saying that those who do not agree with Dutch values should leave. “You have the choice, go away!” the prime minister said. “You do not need to be here!”
The Netherlands is preparing for nationwide elections to be held on March 15. Rutte, who has held the office of prime minister since 2010, is facing a battle for right-wing voters from Geert Wilders, the outspoken anti-immigration politician who leads the Party for Freedom (PVV).
Wilders has capitalized on a populist backlash to refugees and migrants in the Netherlands over the past few years, and some recent polls have shown support for the PVV nearly equal to VVD ahead of the vote. The populist leader would struggle to form a coalition even if his party won a large amount of votes, however. Most mainstream parties, including the VVD, have refused to work with Wilders, who was recently convicted of insulting an ethnic group and inciting discrimination after he led chants against Moroccans.
Rutte's letter was published in a full-page newspaper advertisement and promoted on social media by his party, the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
In his message, the prime minister said he understood there were growing concerns in the Netherlands about those coming into the country who don't integrate. “People who don't want to adapt, [who are] attacking our habits and rejecting our values,” Rutte wrote, “who attack gay people, who shout at women in short skirts, or call ordinary Dutch people racist.”
“I understand the people who think that if you so fundamentally reject our land, I prefer that you leave,” the letter said. “As it happens I have that feeling too. Act normal or go away.”
Rutte repeated his message in a separate interview with the AD newspaper, saying that those who do not agree with Dutch values should leave. “You have the choice, go away!” the prime minister said. “You do not need to be here!”
The Netherlands is preparing for nationwide elections to be held on March 15. Rutte, who has held the office of prime minister since 2010, is facing a battle for right-wing voters from Geert Wilders, the outspoken anti-immigration politician who leads the Party for Freedom (PVV).
Wilders has capitalized on a populist backlash to refugees and migrants in the Netherlands over the past few years, and some recent polls have shown support for the PVV nearly equal to VVD ahead of the vote. The populist leader would struggle to form a coalition even if his party won a large amount of votes, however. Most mainstream parties, including the VVD, have refused to work with Wilders, who was recently convicted of insulting an ethnic group and inciting discrimination after he led chants against Moroccans.