Netherlands Referendum

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35786922

Netherlands to hold an EU referendum on Wednesday

The Netherlands will hold a controversial referendum this Wednesday on the EU's new partnership with Ukraine.

The Dutch parliament has already backed the EU association agreement with Ukraine, a landmark integration pact that removes trade barriers.

But Eurosceptic activists succeeded in triggering a referendum after securing about 450,000 signatures in support of their citizens' initiative.

The European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, has warned that a No vote could lead to a "continental crisis".

The UK referendum campaign is now in full swing, ahead of the British in-out vote in June on whether to stay in the EU. It has totally overshadowed the Dutch referendum.

A leading No campaigner, Thierry Baudet, said: "This is a chance to say we're here too, the most important thing is to finally give the Dutch people a vote on the continuous expansion and increase of powers of the European Union."

He accused the EU of "reckless geopolitical moves".

An interesting one to watch out for tomorrow. Another interesting referendum after the New Zealand one. Who knows what the result will be?

The President of the EU Commission (unelected) warns of a continental crisis if they vote No. Sound familiar?

I guess we'll have to wait and see whether the sky falls in for the Dutch and for the continent - if the Dutch vote the 'wrong' way. It's worth recalling the Dutch people voted against more EU powers in 2005 too along with the French and the Irish: and were all completely ignored and told to drop dead by the EU anyway.

Thoughts?

[FlyingJesus]

"Another interesting referendum after the New Zealand one" makes it sound as though there was anything interesting about the NZ referendum or any others in history

[-:Undertaker:-]

"Another interesting referendum after the New Zealand one" makes it sound as though there was anything interesting about the NZ referendum or any others in history

Not loving or even disapproving of referendums doesn't mean they're not interesting.

I'm not keen on them but I realise their usefulness on certain constitutional issues or changes, ie a flag change or a form of government.

[-:Undertaker:-]

RESULTS

OMG CRISIS!!! THE DUTCH VOTERS HAVE DARED TO DO WHAT THEY WERE TOLD NOT TO!!!! @The Don; @abc;

Now given we're heading for a "continental crisis" what now????!!!!???? I keep looking up at the sky and it is still holding up.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35976086

Voters in the Netherlands have rejected in a referendum an EU partnership deal removing trade barriers with Ukraine, exit polls suggest.

Some 64% of voters said "No" to the agreement, with 36% voting in favour of it, pollster Ipsos says.

However, it is not clear if turnout has reached the 30% threshold of eligible voters needed to be valid.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his government may have to reconsider the treaty if the vote is valid.

The Dutch parliament has already ratified the EU agreement and the result of the vote is not binding.

"We will have to wait and see but it is clear that the 'No' voters won convincingly. The question is whether or not the required turnout will be met." Mr Rutte said in a televised reaction.

"My view is that if the turnout is more than 30%, with such a victory for the 'No' camp, ratification cannot go ahead without discussion."

The referendum was triggered by an internet petition begun by Eurosceptic activists that attracted some 450,000 signatures.

The vote was also seen as a test of public opinion towards the EU, and observers said many voters were likely to use the referendum as a chance to protest against the EU's expansion and what they consider to be its undemocratic decision-making processes.

[FlyingJesus]

cannot go ahead without discussion

lol so nothing's gonna change one way or the other regardless of the vote anyway then

[-:Undertaker:-]

cannot go ahead without discussion

lol so nothing's gonna change one way or the other regardless of the vote anyway then

Indeed. Here's a series of referendums over the last decade - all against the EU as is usually the case - and ignored most times.

[-:Undertaker:-]

It's been a good few days now and we're still waiting for the super scary "continental crisis" that was to come had the Dutch voted No. Maybe, just maybe, they were making it up (so shocking that politicians would do that) to try and frighten the Dutch public into voting a certain way. Reminds me of........ da da! our referendum and the Remain campaign.

[FlyingJesus]

But they didn't vote to leave, they voted to have a chat about things