The GroenLinks-PvdA alliance has withdrawn its support for legislation that would allow the justice minister to ban organisations deemed to be “undermining” society.
The bill was originally drafted to combat motorcycle gangs involved in organised crime. But the alliance now says it is concerned the legislation could be misused.
“Just look at recent events when a minister refused to approve royal honours for people for political reasons,” MP Songül Mutluer told broadcaster NOS. “What if ministers can soon ban organisations?”
The PvdA was among the parties that helped draft the legislation five years ago and steer it through the lower house of parliament in 2020. Now aligned with GroenLinks, its MPs say the political climate has changed and that they fear the powers could be abused for political ends.
ChristenUnie, which also supported the bill’s development, said that criminal motorcycle gangs have now largely been dealt with through the courts. It too is uneasy about giving ministers the authority to unilaterally ban groups and has said it no longer supports the legislation.
The legislation will be debated by the upper house of parliament later this month and could still pass by majority vote.
If the CDA, right-wing liberal VVD and orthodox Christian SGP maintain their support, the position of the 16 BBB senators — the largest party in the senate — could prove decisive. Without the alliance and CU, supporters of the bill are 12 seats short of a majority.
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