A new, right-wing government has taken office in the Netherlands, promising to introduce some of Europe's toughest anti-immigration policies.
The government, which includes followers of the murdered populist Mr Pim Fortuyn, has also pledged to roll back the Netherlands' liberal attitude to recreational drugs.
Queen Beatrix yesterday swore in Mr Jan Peter Balkenende, a Christian Democrat, as Prime Minister. He will govern in coalition with the List Pim Fortuyn (LPF) and the Liberal VVD.
Mr Hilbrand Nawijn, one of Mr Fortuyn's followers, has been appointed Minister for Foreigner Policy and Integration. He will be responsible for introducing tough new rules for asylum-seekers and other immigrants.
Asylum-seekers will be obliged to pay a deposit of €1,500 for compulsory Dutch language lessons and immigrants will face restrictions on bringing family members into the country. Dutch citizens who want to bring a foreign spouse to the Netherlands will be obliged to pay a non-refundable fee of €2,000.
The government has also promised to clamp down on businesses employing illegal immigrants.
A special police force will be established to combat illegal immigration, and asylum-seekers whose claims are likely to be rejected will be deported within 24 hours. At present, one in three asylum-seekers is expelled from the Netherlands within 48 hours.
"A restrictive aliens policy is necessary and illegal immigration should be fought with vigour," the three parties said in their programme for government.
Coffee shops selling cannabis will be closed in border areas to discourage drugs tourism. Ecstasy tablets will no longer be tested for impurities in dance clubs, ending a programme that drugs experts believe to be a valuable safeguard for young drug users.
The government has also announced a review of the law allowing euthanasia in certain circumstances.
Opposition politicians have described the new government's policies as heartless and the outgoing prime minister, Mr Wim Kok, has suggested that the coalition could fall apart within months.
The fiercest criticism has come from trade unionists, who expressed outrage at plans to tighten social benefits and to make it more difficult for workers to claim disability payments. The government also wants to cancel an employees' tax-free saving scheme, and would scrap some government-subsidised jobs.
Mr Lodewijk de Waal, chairman of the biggest union in the Netherlands, said yesterday that action committees were being set up to prepare strikes if necessary. "Chills ran down our spines when we looked at the new government's plans. If you want peace, you must be prepared for war," he said.
Mr Balkenende acknowledged that the economic situation was not an easy one but said his team was confident it would serve its full four-year term, adding that expressions of doubt made his coalition even more determined.
