The controversy over justice minister Piet Hein Donner’s remark that Sharia law could, theoretically speaking, be implemented in Holland if two-thirds of the population so desired, continued today with MPs calling for a ban on anti-democratic parties.

Christian Democrat MPs used an emergency parliamentary debate to urge the government to introduce a ban on political parties which would overthrow the current legislative infrastructure. The CDA said there is no place in society for a party whose ideas lead to criminal offences – such as the new pro-pedofile party – or that would destroy democracy, such as a Sharia or fascist group. Only small right-wing parties supported the call for a ban. ‘You should have more faith in democracy,’ Labour MP Jeroen Dijsselbloem was quoted as saying.
Donner’s (foto) statement on Sharia law has caused outrage in the Netherlands. Newspapers and online discussion groups have been dominated by the subject for the last couple of days. Donner himself has expressed his regret at the ‘misunderstanding’, adding that he himself considered the Islamic law to be ‘completely reprehensible’. Meanwhile, legal expert Maurits Berger told the Volkskrant even if every Muslim in the country voted for a pro-Sharia party – and most Dutch Muslims are not orthodox – it could only win a maximum of 17 out of 150 parliamentary seats.