Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders was back in court this month to hear that he has been given permission to appeal against charges of inciting hatred. This is the second small victory for Wilders, whose first trial was abandoned at the end of last year following his accusations that the judges were biased against him.

As leader of his self-established ’Freedom’ Party, Wilders has become infamous for his inflammatory comments about Islam, which he considers a “retarded ideology”. He has also compared the Koran to Hitler’s ’Mein Kampf’ and called the veil a “woman-humiliating symbol”. Despite his controversial views, in 2007 the Dutch press voted Wilder ’Politician of the Year’ and in the most recent elections his party managed to nearly triple its support. It is now the third largest party in the Netherlands and played a key role in setting up the country’s current coalition government.

The Dutch public appear to be divided about Wilder; 50% support him and 43% oppose him according to a recent survey. His remarks and subsequent prosectution have prompted much public debate in the Netherlands and although the date has not yet been set for Wilder’s second trial, it too is sure to draw much media attention. This is unlikely to perturb the MP, who claims that ’freedom of speech is on trial in the Netherlands’ and is likely to attempt to use this time in the spotlight to his advantage.

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