Geert Wilders, leader of the right-wing populist Freedom Party, says the Dutch head of state should be removed from the government. He thinks Queen Beatrix made an attack on his party in her Christmas speech, and he wants the constitution amended to change the role of the head of state.
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Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders feels he is under attack."The Freedom Party isn't mentioned anywhere in the text, but everyone understands who she means," he is quoted as saying in popular daily newspaper De Telegraaf.
Political speech
Geert Wilders often takes radical standpoints in Dutch politics, antagonising other political parties and sections of society. He warns against an "Islamic tsunami", for example, which he claims is flooding a tolerant Netherlands. But his uncompromising points of view gained him a lot of votes in the last parliamentary elections.
Mr Wilders wants to change the role of the Dutch head of state in the constitution, as he believes Queen Beatrix expressed a political opinion in her Christmas speech. In the broadsheet Trouw newspaper he says, "It's a political speech against us, in which the multi-culti ideal is extolled by someone who is unelected and whom I can't call to account politically. Formally I can call the cabinet to order, but in practice they always fob you off with meaningless answers. I think she should be put straight out of the cabinet."
Dubious
"The Dutch head of state has two functions," explains Paul Bovend'eert, Professor of Constitutional Law at Radboud University in Nijmegen. "Officially she is a member of the government, and she's the independent head of state." He acknowledges that the head of state's position as a member of the government is dubious from a democratic point of view. She is not elected but acceded to the throne by succession. "She signs ministerial orders and is officially part of the government. It isn't known how much influence she has behind the scenes. It also depends how much room the politicians give her." The same goes for her role in the formation of new government, which is directed by the head of state.
Symbol
Professor Bovend'eert thinks Mr Wilders is mistaken in his attack on the Christmas address. "If the queen were no longer a member of the government, the cabinet would still be responsible for what she says and does." Referring to Norway and Denmark, where the role of the royal family is ceremonial, he says, "A head of state never has a purely ceremonial function. He is always the first representative in foreign relations. He symbolises the unity of the state and sets a good example. And at the same time it's also appropriate that now and then he should make comments about society."
Bill
Geert Wilders has announced that in the course of 2008 he intends to put forward a bill to change the constitution. To begin with he would need a two-thirds majority in favour in parliament. Actually changing the constitution would then take a lot more time and political procedure.
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende says he is happy to debate the matter with Mr Wilders. He gave the Christmas address his prior approval, and in defence of the Queen he says, "Wilders says he wants to defend the Netherlands' interests, but at the same time he attacks what makes the Netherlands into the Netherlands: our royal family, our tolerance, and solidarity with others, also beyond our borders."
Tags: Dutch constitution, Dutch monarchy, Dutch Royal Famil, Geert Wilders, Jan Peter Balkenende, Multi-culturalism, Queen Beatrix