From Reuters
By Reuters Staff | APRIL 26, 2012
Geert Wilders of the Freedom Party walks away after a debate about the government’s resignation caused by a crisis over budget cuts in The Hague April 24, 2012. REUTERS/Paul Vreeker)
With the collapse of the Dutch centre-right government, the Netherlands may now drop some of its most eye-popping proposals aimed at Muslims and other immigrants and could soften its strong anti-immigration rhetoric.
A ban on Muslim face veils, such as the Arabic-style niqabs that leave the eyes uncovered and Afghan-style burqas that cover the face with a cloth grid, is less likely to go ahead after the government collapsed at the weekend.
The minority Liberal-Christian Democrat coalition’s alliance with Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) fell apart when they could not reach agreement on crucial budget cuts. An election has been called for September 12.
