By David Doherty

VVD leader in hot water after Holocaust remark
There's no shortage of political controversy in today's Dutch dailies. First up is the conservative VVD party's beleaguered leader Mark Rutte, whose comment that Holocaust denial should no longer be a criminal offence has unleashed a storm of criticism. "Rutte ignites the fury of his party" blasts de Volkskrant, while on Trouw's front page Jewish groups warn the comment "has hurt many people".

Mark Rutte made his blunder while attempting to re-launch the VVD in the media as the champion of free speech. But as AD comments "The party's bid to become the party of free thinkers has gone up in smoke." The paper also quotes Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen who slams the VVD leader for "having lost the plot completely".

In its editorial, NRC Handelsblad points out that within the context of his argument on freedom of speech, Rutte's comment "is consistent in its logic" but goes on to point out that "to prevent consistent logic from going too far, you need sensitivity. And that's a gift that Rutte lacks."

This isn't the first time that Mark Rutte's leadership skills have been called into question. Perhaps the most telling comment on his latest gaffe comes from the cartoonist in today's Trouw. He depicts a dazed Rutte flat on his back in the middle of an empty playground with a banana skin at his side. One commentator watching from the sidelines says to another "It takes a special talent..."

Wilders rape victim comments unleash MPs' fury
Next up is the maestro of controversy Geert Wilders. This time the right-wing Freedom Party leader has prompted furious reactions from his fellow MPs by criticising journalist Joanie de Rijke, who wrote an account of how she was kidnapped and raped by a Taliban commander. De Volkskrant quotes Mr Wilders, who refers to the journalist's attempts to understand her rapist as proof that "the entire Dutch elite is suffering from Stockholm syndrome. The only moral reference point we have is 'don't offend the Muslims'."

His comments sparked some of the angriest responses seen in the Dutch parliament for quite some time. His most vocal critic was Green Left leader Femke Halsema, who fumed "You have no ethical boundaries whatsoever. This woman is not here to defend herself and you are using her for your own stupid, fatuous political tale. You should be ashamed of yourself."

Not one to go back on his words, Mr Wilders responded with a defiant "Not in the slightest". It will be interesting to see if he takes the criticism of Joanie de Rijke herself to heart. AD talks to the journalist who says "If Geert Wilders had read my book, he wouldn't have said what he did. I'm still recovering from my trauma. Wilders is using me for his own political gain. Of course I'm not tolerant towards rapists and kidnappers. How could I be after what I've been through?"

The government's day of reckoning
Geert Wilders' comments were made at the great "day of reckoning" debate in which parliament calls the government to account for its performance to date. The Freedom Party leader's headline-grabbing tactics are usually criticised for distracting everyone from the real issues. But today's papers have their own doubts about the importance of yesterday's big debate.

Trouw complains "The debate is about everything except the government's results" and criticises the party leaders for "trotting out their own pet issues" ahead of the European elections. De Volkskrant pities the opposition for having to "chew its way through 2822 pages" of a report in which the government endeavours to present its achievements to date.

Predictably, the government reckons it's on course for 82 percent of its objectives while the opposition has its doubts. "Let's take a look at Objective 3" suggests D66 leader Alexander Pechtold. "Bringing a solution to the Middle East conflict closer. That's been marked green. Which means it's all going according to plan? Don't make me laugh!"

Some party leaders are even calling for an end to the accountability debate, after 10 years of mixed reviews. Socialist Agnes Kant argues "We can call the government to account every day, and we do." But Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende leaps isn't prepared to abandon it just yet: "It's a relatively young tradition ... We shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater." Same time next year then...

Tarting up the palace: money well spent?
NRC Handelsblad turns the spotlight on the Royal Palace on Amsterdam's Dam Square, which is currently undergoing renovation. The interior work is finished and now there are plans to sandblast, laser and colour the exterior to rid it of that "dark, dingy, weather-beaten" look that has many tourists shrugging their shoulders and setting off in search of more impressive monuments.

Not everyone's happy about the 40-million-euro plan to spruce the place up, however. "It's pointless and aggressive," grumbles Gerrit Vermeer of the University of Amsterdam. "You're stripping off a layer of the building. And for what? The differences in colour have always been there. That's the charm of natural stone: it's alive."

A spokesman for an association to protect the country's monuments is equally miffed, dismissing the plans as a "whim of fashion". "There are so many monumental buildings on the point of collapse and there's never enough money to do anything about it. So why tons of money is being pumped into unnecessary work on the Palace is a mystery to everyone. It must be at Her Majesty's request."

Young Dutch mountaineer talks about Everest ordeal
The news media in the Netherlands were in jubilant mood last week: youngest Dutchman ever conquers Everest! But today's AD brings home the harsh realities of this triumph in an interview with 25-year-old student mountaineer Erik Ravenstijn. "When I actually stood on the summit, all I could think was 'Shit, this is a dangerous place. Let's get out of here'. Mainly because of the lack of oxygen, I felt a complete lack of emotion."

At the start of the expedition he felt constantly sick and could hardly keep any food down, losing 20 kilos as a result. "There's very little flesh left on my bones ... On the mountain you can't eat much even though you have to make a massive effort. You're basically eating up your own muscle power." He reckons it may take his body up to 6 months to recover.

Thankfully there was a moment of magic to make it all worthwhile. Eric made the summit at 5.00 am last Wednesday, just as the sun was rising. "I could see for hundreds of kilometres. The desert planes of Tibet in one direction. Nothing but snow-capped peaks in the other. It was amazing."