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| Government presses ahead with merging provinces |
12/16/2012 |
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Friday 14 December 2012
The cabinet has agreed to press ahead with plans to merge Noord-Holland, Utrecht and Flevoland into a single entity and draft legislation is expected to be completed by the end of next year, Nos television reports.
Home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk hopes the merger process will be completed in time for the 2015 provincial government elections.
The merger is included in the coalition government agreement. Ultimately, ministers hope the 12 provinces which make up the Netherlands will be reduced to five.
© DutchNews.nl
Illegal immigrants to face €3,900 fine and deportation
Friday 14 December 2012
The cabinet will today discuss its controversial plans to make being an illegal immigrant a criminal offence, RTL news reported on Friday.
Illegal immigrants will face a fine of up to €3,900 and eventual deportation when legislation making illegality a crime comes into effect, sources told the broadcaster.
The plan forms part of the coalition agreement between Teeven''s VVD and the Labour party but is strongly opposed by local authorities.
People who take advantage of illegal immigrants, by renting them accommodation or giving them work, will also face charges. Minors and those who help illegal immigrants will not be breaking the law.
Teeven''s plans exclude ''police hunts'' for illegal immigrants but people caught without valid papers during traffic checks will face fines and deportation, sources told RTL.
Dutch population grows marginally as immigration declines
Thursday 13 December 2012
The population of the Netherlands grew by just 47,000 this year, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.
The marginal growth is due to a reduction in immigration and the fact more migrants have left the Netherlands, the CBS said. In particular, many migrants from Eastern and central Europe left this year, partly due to the economic downturn.
Immigration from Africa and Asia was also down, there were fewer live births and more deaths, the CBS said.
Nevertheless, by 2040 the population is due to reach 17.8 million, 1.1 million more than its current total, CBS statisticians say.
© DutchNews.nl
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