The municipality announced on Friday evening that the State Secretary will explain his intention and the procedure during a public council meeting and will discuss it. Van der Burg wanted to go on Thursday, but the mayor had said it is better to come a little later. A spokesperson for the ministry confirms that the state secretary will be present at the council meeting.
State Secretary Eric van der Burg (Asylum) speaks to the press.
ANP / ANP
According to the municipality of Tubbergen, she was not aware that COA would buy the hotel, but Van der Burg said earlier that the organization had indeed spoken to the municipal council several times. “There was a ‘no’ and that is of course allowed. Only we really need extra places in the Netherlands. That is why we said some time ago that we will continue with reception locations,” said Van der Burg on Friday.
“The municipality of Tubbergen is in a unique situation,” the municipality said in a statement Friday evening. “For the first time in history, the government is making use of the authority to designate a location for an asylum seekers’ center. This means that the central government passes the Municipal Executive and the democratically elected municipal council. This raises many questions among residents and also the municipality of Tubbergen.”
The municipal council says it appreciates the fact that the state secretary “quickly responded” to the invitation. The city council will use the coming days “to keep in touch with residents, to obtain information and to be advised.”