Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, the daughter of Turkish refugees who wants to toughen immigration in the Netherlands if Rutte succeeds

INTERNATIONAL / By Luis Moreno

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, counts the days to say goodbye and return to a quieter life. In July, after the crisis that swept away the current government in the first days of July, a crisis caused by immigration policy, he announced his departure.

The search for a replacement for Rutte at the head of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) is underway (the elections will be in November). The chosen one seems to be Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, current Minister of Justice and Security. She proposed herself as the head of the list (below in the tweet). In mid-July the party leadership chose her as a favorite, however, other party members have until Sunday August 13 to present themselves as candidates.

hard line

Yesilgoz-Zegerius is of Turkish origin and yet has been noted for his tough stance on immigration issues.. and does not hide. His profile appears on the website of the Government of the Netherlands, with a photo and a phrase as a motto: “I will promote, defend and strengthen the rule of law. I want people to trust the protection it offers. And we will take a hard line against those who undermine the rule of law.”

This liberal politician was born on June 18, 1977 in Ankara, Turkey (she is 46 years old). And yet, he defends the need to strengthen border controls and promote a more effective integration of immigrants into Dutch society.. The minister assures that her job consists of ensuring that people who arrive in the Netherlands comply with the legal requirements and adapt to the culture and values of the country.

I want people to trust the protection we offer and we will take a hard line against those who undermine the rule of law.”

Her parents emigrated to Dutch lands when she was a girl. His (Kurdish) father was a trade unionist who had to flee Turkey after the 1980 coup and sought asylum in the Netherlands.. In 1984, he escaped to the Greek island of Kos and later managed to reach the Netherlands with his family (also Dilan), obtaining asylum.