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Queen out of government, says WildersThursday 27 December 2007 The anti-immigration party PVV is to submit a motion calling for the queen’s role in government to be restricted to ceremonial functions, NOS tv reports on Thursday. PVV leader Geert Wilders says in a number of newspapers that queen Beatrix’s Christmas Day speech was ‘stuffed full of multi-cultural nonsense’ and was largely directed at his party. In her televised speech, the queen criticised the increase in intolerance and the way discussion is being replaced by hardened standpoints. ‘The PVV was not mentioned but everyone understands what she was driving at,’ Wilders says in the Telegraaf. Speaking from his holiday address, prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende said he is completely behind the sentiments expressed by the queen in her Christmas speech. ‘Wilders says he wants to defend Dutch interests, but he is destroying that which makes the Netherlands the Netherlands: our royal family, our tolerance and our solidarity with people beyond our borders,’ Balkenende told news agency ANP. Queen Beatrix is officially head of the government but is inviolable, which means the prime minister is responsible for everything she says. The monarch co-signs new laws and has an important role in the creation of new governments by naming the person who is to form a new coalition. The monarch also chairs the Council of State, the country's highest judicial body. © DutchNews.nl
Mr. Wilders is talking like a mad man who can go to any extent to get into power. By Haans | December 28, 2007 5:03 AM Well, Geert, when the shoe fits ... By Q | December 28, 2007 10:48 AM Wilders loves to play the martyr. Perhaps the Jan Average doesn't pay much attention to the queen's speech. Now that Geert is throwing a tantrum, let's hope that Jan Average will also pay attention to some of the responses to his tantrum. By Q | December 28, 2007 11:34 AM I seriously doubt it was aimed at Geert Wilders indirectly or directly. Being that the Tweede kamer has repetively attempted to stop Geert Wilders from showing his film, I can understand Geert Wilders and his reaction towards the Queen though she is innocent of wrong doing and the reason why he thought it was directed at him when the entire Tweede kamer has acted against him and his freedom of Speech from day one. Some of you criticizing Geert Wilders have not proven anything with your meaningless and baseless facts. Geert Wilders stands up for the Jewish communities in Europe when nobody else has the balls to do so except for Rita Verdonk. Geert Wilders and Rita Verdonk stand up for Gay rights, when certain radical extremist groups terrorize Gay people on their own soil. And last, but not least, It is Geert Wilders and Rita Verdonk who are great advocates for womens rights. If that isn't tolerance then I think some of you have dead brain cells. By Sandra | December 28, 2007 11:38 AM It seems to be Geerts business to run into trouble with just about everybody. First the Muslims and then H.M The Queen. I am not a big fan of the Islam and I am a republican, but his remarks have been uncalled for.. perhaps it would be in the interest of the nation if he would leave us and go to the USA or Israel and try to become a citizen- but he would in the end cause trouble there as well. By Tristan van Oosten | December 28, 2007 5:59 PM Geert in the USA? Well now, Tristan might be right, he could very well make it here. We love explosive personalities and bold reckless politicians who are not afraid to speak their mind. But I resent people who chastise the very foundation of a nation which is for the Netherlands, the House of Orange. As I said earlier, Mr. Wilder has to learn basic diplomacy. Even in politics, there are noble institutions which you don't touch especially those whose heart and soul are for the good of every Dutch. I'm not too fond of royalties, but this one is different, one can never ask for any national symbol than the Queen, she must stay and be respected for who she is. She is indeed a commendable person. By Carlos Borjal | January 1, 2008 5:29 PM there's a very large amount of dutch who would like the monarchy ended today instead of tomorrow, so this is not some loner screaming in the dessert. By Helga | April 14, 2008 2:47 PM Let's listen to our hearts...the queen By Leroy Ware | August 19, 2009 3:17 PM
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Mr. Wilder’s tirade about the queen’s speech is uncalled for. Sure, I respect his views about immigration and surely there is freedom of speech in the Netherlands but unfortunately the man needs to learn basic diplomacy. He has to remember he’s only a politician elected in office whose tenure is temporary, the queen is here to stay. Her interests and responsibilities to the whole nation far exceed Mr. Wilder’s political alliances and narrow views about migrants. No country can stand on it’s own relying solely on its local resources, whether it’s own raw materials or its local labour forces. There are professional workers around the world that even an advanced country like the Netherlands cannot provide you have to bring them in to stay globally competitive. Nationalism is fine but only to a certain extent, politicians should know that. There is a big wide world out there far better and more skilled at things far beyond your comprehension.
By Carlos Borjal | December 27, 2007 7:02 PM