Dutch officials weigh in on U.S. elections

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende chastised a Cabinet member for calling U.S. Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama "inspiring."

Dutch Finance Minister Wouter Bos called the Illinois senator the "most inspiring" of the candidates in statements Tuesday.

"The Dutch Cabinet has no preference with respect to the U.S. presidential candidates. And that is true of the Cabinet members, as well," various media reports quoted Balkenende as saying Wednesday.

Bos said the outcome of the presidential race in the United States may have consequences for Dutch interests.

Democrats, Bos said, were more likely to embrace a protectionist economic policy that would harm economic interests in the Netherlands, Expatica and the ANP news agency reported.

Bos said he viewed the Democrats as more likely to engage European countries and less likely to employ an aggressive military policy overseas.