Amsterdam - Rightist Dutch politician Geert Wilders sharply attacked Thursday the Christmas speech by Queen Beatrix and said she should not be allowed to be a member of the government. In remarks published in several Dutch dailies, Wilders called the queen's remarks "political" and alleged that it was directed against himself and his party.
Wilders is leader of the liberal-rightist Freedom party known for its harsh stance on immigrant issues and the Islam.
In her speech, broadcast on Dutch tv on Wednesday, Beatrix warned her audience against "vulgarity in word and deed" and stressed the importance of tolerance.
Wilders said he wants to reduce the Queen's role to a primarily ceremonial one, while enabling her to remain in power as head of state.
The Dutch queen is formally head of state and head of government. She plays a decisive role in the formation of government coalitions.
The prime minister briefs her about all state affairs on a weekly basis. She also presides over the highest Dutch advisory council, the Raad van State.
Wilders is not the first Dutch politician to plead for a strictly ceremonial role for the queen.
Dutch legislators from the Christian Democracts, Labour, the Christian Union and the left Liberals denied on Thursday the Queen had attacked Wilders in her Christmas speech.
A spokesman of prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende told reporters on Thursday the prime minister supported the speech "entirely."
