Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 17 May 2024 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

After months of negotiations, Dutch ultranationalist Geert Wilders and his coalition partners have struck a deal to form the government. Here is what they plan to do.
On immigration
The coalition aims to have the strictest admittance policy for asylum seekers in EU, and will request an opt-out of common EU rules for migration. Foreigners who have already been denied asylum in another EU country will be sent away immediately, family reunifications will be limited, and refugees and asylum seekers will no longer be prioritised for housing. Within EU, the government will strive for stricter border controls and deals with non-EU countries to take in migrants.
Labour migration will be curbed, as will the flow of foreign students to Dutch universities. Workers from outside the EU who do not have specific expertise will need work permits, and recruiting agencies will face stricter regulation.
On energy
The coalition aims to expand offshore natural gas extraction and nuclear energy production as part of plans to reduce the Netherlands’ dependence on “unreliable countries”.
It will stick to internationally agreed climate goals, but will not add any national restrictions on top of them. Plans under the previous government for an additional national carbon emissions tax for industry will be scrapped.
On agriculture, environment
Farmers won’t be forced to reduce their livestock, a move by the previous regime to cut back nitrogen oxide emissions. The coalition will strive to ease EU environmental regulations for farmers, and domestic regulations will not be made stricter than what EU laws prescribe. Diesel for farmers will become cheaper, and the maximum speed on highways will be increased to 130 kmph after being reduced to 100 kmph in 2020 to fight nitrogen pollution.
On taxes, spending cuts
Energy and income taxes will be lowered, while levies on share buybacks by listed companies, announced late last year, will be scrapped. A mandatory user contribution for healthcare procedures will be halved by 2027, and childcare subsidies will be increased.
Day care will be made nearly free. Plans will be financed with14 billion euros in spending cuts through 2028, including through a freeze of government salaries. Unemployment welfare will be limited to 18 months.
International stance
Political and military support to Ukraine will be sustained, and the coalition will make it legally binding to spend at least 2% of Dutch gross domestic product on defence, in line with NATO agreements. Spending on foreign development aid will be cut by 2.4 bln euros. EU enlargement will not be supported unless all relevant criteria are fulfilled. The coalition aims to move the Dutch embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
[Excerpt from Indian Express “Dutch Government To Opt Out Of EU Migration Rules” Dated 17/05/24]

Q1: What is the main objective of the Dutch government, led by Geert Wilders' nationalist Party for Freedom (PVV), regarding immigration policies?
(a) To loosen asylum rules and promote open borders
(b) To align with European Union regulations on migration and asylum
(c) To implement the strictest asylum system ever and add an "opt-out" clause to EU policies
(d) To increase opportunities for foreign students and workers in the Netherlands

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Q2: What potential conflict is expected between the Dutch government and the European Union?
(a) Disagreement over environmental policies
(b) Conflict regarding trade regulations
(c) Clash regarding EU rules on migration and asylum
(d) Dispute over cultural preservation initiatives

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Q3: Which countries have previously expressed opposition to EU immigration policies, similar to the stance of the Dutch government?
(a) Italy and Spain
(b) Germany and France
(c) Hungary and Poland
(d) Sweden and Denmark

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Q4: What is the purpose of the Dublin Regulation?
(a) It allows for the free movement of people between EU member states.
(a) It determines the responsibility for processing asylum applications based on the first entry into the EU.
(c) It facilitates the removal of illegal immigrants from EU member states.
(d) It provides rights to long-term residents of EU member states.

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Q5: Under which directive are highly skilled non-EU workers provided with easier access to work in the EU?
(a) Schengen Agreement
(b) Return Directive
(c) Seasonal Workers Directive
(d) Blue Card plan

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