THE HAGUE, 19/11/09 - The Christian democrats (CDA) are put out that the Christian cross on the mitre of Sinterklaas is disappearing in more and more municipalities with the apparent intention of keeping radical Muslims calm.

Sinterklaas is the Dutch variant of Santa Claus. Tradition has it that the holy bishop arrives from Spain on his steamboat on around 20 November every year to give all good children presents on 5 December, after which he disappears again.

Sinterklaas has had no cross on his mitre in Amsterdam any more for some years, but rather the logo of the city. The capital acknowledges that this is because the population's composition has become "multi-ethnic".

According to CDA, more and more municipal executives are opting to drop the cross for a neutral headdress. This damages a tradition, says the government party.

CDA has sent written questions to Labour (PvdA) Ministers Guusje ter Horst (Home Affairs) and Ronald Plasterk (Culture). They are urged "to fight for the preservation of a typically Dutch festival, including all symbols and references that belong to it."

CDA MP Koppejan: "We consider it fine that in Dutch society, ethnic groups have come along with their own festivals, customs and religions. But this must not mean that the Christian origin of our own festivals is renounced."