The prime minister of the Netherlands said he had won broad support from EU leaders concerning the expected release of an anti-Quran film by Dutch lawmaker and Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders. Balkenende said other EU countries are supporting the Netherlands’ view that it cannot silence Wilders due to the constitutional right to freedom of expression. However, Dutch and other European officials fear that the film could spark violent protests in Muslim countries. Among those in solidarity include Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who said the Dutch could expect full backing by fellow EU member states.
