This morning's papers make interesting reading for those of us interested in the social climate here in the Netherlands; this country has long been known as a bastion of liberality and freedom but just how liberal and free is the Netherlands in 2009?

On the one hand, it appears as though the ideal of equality for all is being embraced by the governing conservative Christian Democrats: MPs from the party will be taking part in the famous Gay Pride Canal Parade for the first time in the event's 14 year history. On the other hand, the government is evidently taking a tougher stance on abortion. We live in interesting times.

 
Abortion boat activists could face criminal charges
Several papers report that the Dutch abortion boat run by Women on Waves could face prosecution for handing out abortifacient pills last year.

 
"Dutch health inspectorate files charges against WoW," writes NRC Handelsblad on its front page, a headline echoed by its sister publication NRC.next. Both papers report that the health inspectorate (IGZ) has called on the Public Prosecutor's Office to prosecute Women on Waves (WoW) for handing out abortion pills on a rented yacht moored off the Spanish coast.

 
An IGZ spokesperson tells the papers "WoW is only licensed to distribute abortion pills from its floating clinic. As WoW did not request the licence be transferred to a yacht, they were breaking the law". The organisation's director, Dr Rebecca Gomperts, says the IGZ's call to prosecute her organisation is "quite remarkable" and proves that "resistance to abortion is growing in The Hague".

 
Christian Democrats join Gay Pride parade for first-time
Dutch society does seem to be changing but sometimes it's difficult to tell whether it's for better or worse. One positive change is writ large in the left-wing de Volkskrant: "Christian Democrats on holy boat during Gay Pride" headlines the paper. The protestant newspaper Trouw covers the same story but leaves the word gay out of its headline; things haven't changed that much after all.

 
Both papers report that CDA MP Corien Jonker will take part in Saturday's canal parade, sailing with gay and lesbian Christians on a 'holy' boat. It is the first time that the CDA Christian Democrats - one of the two large parties in the current three-party government - have joined the parade and Ms Jonker tells Trouw: "The CDA hopes that taking part in the parade will increase dialogue between Christian and non-Christian homosexuals as well as between the church and homosexuals".

 
De Volkskrant writes that Emancipation Minister Ronald Plasterk - from the Labour Party - will be joining the parade again this year but the third member of the governing coalition, the Christian Union, will not be taking part. A CU spokesperson tells the paper, "We do not view the parade as a way to increase emancipation. We will not be discussing the decision to take part in the parade with the other coalition members". How very Christian of them.

 
Natural gas reserves larger than previously thought
At last, there's some good economic news: AD reports that Dutch natural gas reserves are larger than previously thought; on Monday TNO, a major research institute, reported that oil and gas companies have discovered 33.1 billion cubic metres of gas in new fields under the Netherlands. AD says the gas is worth about five billion euros.
 
Trouw writes "Gas production in the Wadden Sea set to increase". According to estimates by the Netherlands oil and gas company (NAM), there is an extra six to 10 billion cubic metres of gas under the Wadden Sea - the narrow strip of water that lies between the northern Dutch coastline and the Wadden Islands and North Sea beyond. A NAM spokesperson tells the paper, "that's enough gas to supply Amsterdam and Rotterdam for seven or eight years".

 
Nowhere to park: bicycle chaos at train stations
The government is doing everything to encourage people to get out of their cars and ride a bike or use public transport, except of course investing in public transport and facilities for cyclists. Trouw prints a picture that is all too familiar to cyclists and train users: a woman with a bicycle looks around in desperation amid the chaos of bicycles parked outside a train station. There is nowhere to park her bike.

 
Cycle racks outside train stations have been overcrowded for years but according to Trouw, there is good news: ProRail plans to solve the shortage of bike racks - estimated at 100,000 places - at 150 stations over the coming four years. But, asks the paper, will it be enough to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for a safe place to lock up a bicycle?

 
Stressed pets on the run
It's holiday season in the Netherlands and many people are off enjoying the sun while the family pet is at home being looked after by friends or neighbours. Front-page headline in this morning's AD reads "Stressed pets run away from carers". The paper writes that the animal ambulance and Amivedi, the alarm centre for missing animals, have been inundated with reports of pets that have legged it.

 
An Amivedi spokesperson tells the paper, "we get dozens of calls every day about dogs or cats that have run away from the sitters". The paper prints a few handy tips for pet sitters: Don't leave the door open. If the animal dies while the owners are away, don't ring and tell them, as the news will just ruin their holiday. Just get the vet to freeze the body and give it to the owners when they get back. Not a very warm welcome home.