A tense weekend for the Christian Democrats as they decide on what to do next. Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders spreads his wings in Germany, while he faces trial in the Netherlands. Squatters demonstrate against a ban, and gays hold their own tea party.

Tense weekend for Christian Democrats
It was a tense weekend for the Christian Democrats (CDA) in the Netherlands. A stunning 4000 members attended an emotional congress on Saturday to vote on whether to join the conservative VVD in a minority government with the support of Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV).

De Volkskrant points out that the arrival of a new cabinet is “anything but certain”. Trouw and De Telegraaf stress that the two Christian Democrat MPs who have so far refused to back the deal will make their final decision known in tomorrow’s parliamentary party meeting.

AD jumps the gun slightly, reporting that conservative VVD leader Mark Rutte hopes there will be “a new cabinet by next week”. De Volkskrant reports the two dissidents feel strengthened by the opposition in their party. A third of the members voted against a deal with the VVD and PVV, which is huge in a party known for its loyal support.

Freesheet De Pers points out that the only thing that really binds the Christian Democrats together is power. Since 1975, when the smaller Christian parties joined forces fearing they might disappear otherwise, the CDA has been in government for 25 years. Trouw writes that little was left to chance during the congress: even the final speakers were specially selected and the only Muslim MP was given a hug for the cameras by CDA leader Maxime Verhagen. And as soon as the chaotic vote was over Mr Verhagen claimed victory.

However, opponents to the deal, such as former co-negotiator Ab Klink and caretaker Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin, point out how divided the party is. Minister Hirsch Ballin has also voiced his concerns about how much pressure is being put on the two dissident MPs to vote in favour of joining government. The repercussions of the vote went far beyond the walls of the congress centre in Arnhem, AD reports a record 1.4 million people watched the congress live on television.

Geert Wilders criticises German Chancellor
Meanwhile on Saturday in Berlin, Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders gave a speech in his quest to form an international movement, the International Freedom Alliance, against what he calls the Islamisation of the Western world. He was invited by Rene Stadtkewitz to attend the launch of a German Freedom Party.

De Volkskrant reports that in the speech he critised German Chancellor Angela Merkel “We are not like Mrs Merkel. We do not accept Islamisation.” It was a direct response to her criticism of the coalition deal with the Freedom Party. The audience of 500 young and old, German and Dutch fans have two things in common: they are against Islam and against the political establishment.

Mr Wilders did not avoid making a link between Germany’s past and today, “The mistake of the Weimar republic not to fight for freedom against the Nazis should not be repeated against Islam.” He received applause when he told his audience that Germans no longer needed to feel ashamed of the past and that it is their duty to fight for their identity.

Trouw gauges the reactions of German politicians to the controversial Dutch MP. The German Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said Mr Wilders fed in an intolerable way the idea the Muslims and their religion form a threat. Leader of the Greens Jürgen Trittin said “There is no place in Germany for vain populists and Islamophobes.” For the time being he may be right, so far the far right have lacked a charismatic leader, but Trouw warns, Geert Wilders’ visit could raise the profile of Mr Stadtkewitz and change all that.

Geert Wilders stands trial
There is certainly no lack of media attention for Geert Wilders today, as De Telegraaf reports that his six-day trial begins. The controversial MP is facing prosecution for insulting Muslims, inciting hatred and discrimination. The defendant expects to be acquitted according to the paper. “We don’t just have many voters behind us, the Christian Democrats and VVD are also prepared to govern with us – albeit with us in a supporting role.”

Trouw recaps that Geert Wilders is standing trial for a long string of comments on Islam, such as “The heart of the problem is the fascist Islam, the sick ideology of Allah and Mohammed as stated in the Islamic Mein Kampf : de Qur’an.” At first the Dutch Public Prosecution Office decided not to prosecute in spite of receiving scores of complaints. Eventually the PPO changed its mind. Mr Wilders’ defence is based on freedom of speech and whether or not what he says is true. However a number of experts he requested as witnesses have been turned down by the court.

De Volkskrant says the European Court gives that anti-Wilders camp hope. Last April the court rejected an appeal by French politician Jean Marie Le Pen against a conviction by a French court for less outrageous comments against Muslims. Likewise the European Court has backed rulings against members of the National Front in Belgium and Great Britain. The verdict will be passed on 4 November.

Dutch squatters demonstrate against ban
Dutch squatters demonstrated in Nijmegen on Saturday following a total ban on squatting which came into force on Friday. De Volkskrant reports that the squatters estimate 1000 people demonstrated peacefully and without incident, but police estimates are half that. The organisers had agreed with police on the route and that demonstrators would not cover their faces. Rallies were held at two locations. However a breakaway group sought confrontation with police after the demonstration, throwing stones and beer cans at police, which led to 11 arrests.

The squatters’ movement, which at its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s had 20,000 members, has seen all its rights removed. Until Friday, squatters had the right to occupy a building if it had been left empty for 12 months. Trouw writes that the movement managed to prevent a number of monumental buildings from demolition and led to the creation of anti-squats, cheap accommodation in otherwise empty buildings to prevent them from becoming squats. But the paper’s Saturday edition also points out that today’s squatters sometimes get in the way of housing development.

Meanwhile in Amsterdam squatters accuse police of deliberately starting riots on Friday evening so that they could be given extra powers to use against them. They have called for an investigation by the city council.

Gays in Amsterdam hold Black Tea Party
Amsterdam used to call itself the gay capital of the world. But a 13-percent increase in violence against homosexuals has led to 50 percent not daring to be open about their sexual orientation in public.

De Volkskrant photographes the visitors in fancy dress to a masked ball in the capital organised to address the problem, the Black Tea Party. Among the guests was Labour Party leader Job Cohen, who as minister introduced legislation allowing single sex marriage and as mayor held the first gay wedding ceremony in the Netherlands. One couple came in top hats and black masks, another as two cuddly bears. One party-goer is wearing a veil from ear to ear to cover his face.