Posted on 06/01/2005 12:16:19 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
Dutch voters have decisively turned against the European constitution in their national referendum, according to exit polls.
Their vote comes just days after France plunged Europe into months of constitutional turmoil by becoming the first country to reject the new treaty.
Some 63 per cent of voters in the Netherlands were said to be opposed to the constitution, according to the polls, with the Yes campaign garnering the support of just 37 per cent.
Turnout was also set to be high at around 62 per cent - leaving the Dutch government with no option but to abide by the public's verdict.
Ministers had earlier suggested that a turnout of below 30 per cent would not have been considered binding.
They are now officially the Knights who say 'NEE'.
When will EU learn thuggery does not work?
Whilst the French are the knights "who until just recently said Nee!"
They aren't as stupid as I thought.
http://www.euobserver.com/?sid=9&aid=19220
Dutch say strong No to EU Constitution
01.06.2005 - 21:10 CET | By Mark Beunderman
The Netherlands has rejected the EU constitution, with 63 percent of the Dutch voting against the text and 37 in favour, exit polls show.
An exit poll on the result of today's referendum on the EU charter was released at 21.00 CET by Interview/NSS for Dutch public television.
The poll showed turnout to be at 62 percent, far above the 30 percent threshold necessary for the referendum to be valid.
Polls closed today at 21.00 and the first official results are expected to emerge at 22.00.
The percentage of Dutch "No" votes lies even higher than polls had predicted yesterday (around 60 percent).
The Dutch referendum is non-binding, meaning that the Dutch parliament has the final say on ratification of the EU Charter.
But the parliament, which initiated the referendum, has repeatedly said it would adopt the result of the poll if turnout were higher than 30 percent.
The Dutch want less "Brussels"
Two pollsters yesterday (31 May) already released analyses of the reasons of the Dutch "No".
They both found that the rejection of the EU constitution was primarily based on general uneasiness with the EU.
A TNS/NIPO survey for RTL television found that "the Dutch are predominantly afraid that the Netherlands will lose its identity in Europe and that the Netherlands will not maintain its influence in the European Union."
The polling company went on to state that the Dutch think that "European unification goes too quickly".
TNS/NIPO noted that "remarkably", sideline issues like Turkish EU accession, the Euro, and discontent with the Dutch government - finally did not constitute the main arguments for voters turning their backs on the Constitution.
Election researcher Maurice de Hond found that 78 percent of the Dutch think that "Brussels should have less of a say on issues close to citizens."
Seventy-three percent of respondents said that the EU should be "much more democratic".
Strikingly, according to Mr de Hond's poll, less than half backed the idea of a common EU foreign policy.
Forty-five percent of respondents agreed that "there should be one approach to foreign policy in the EU, not seperate approaches of every single country."
Meanwhile, 30 percent of the Dutch still want the Dutch guilder back, according to Mr De Hond.
EXCELLENT!!!! I am so happy to see the EU go down in flames. I'm going to have pour a brew right over the ashes.
French/Dutch voters find EU, "Pee Yee"
I'll have a Warsteiner, bitte........
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4601439.stm
Beep has it up too.
This is a great day for freedom my friends! No United States of Europe to nip at our back as we confront our real enemies.
No EUSSR even though - All of the politicians, All of the newspapers, and Most of the city dwellers were for it. Sounds like our Dims.
Dutch voters deliver second blow to EU: Women, children, and minorities hardest hit
I bet they make them vote until they get it right. (or left I mean)
I am from Holland, isnt that weird!
Sigh . .. that is what I expect. The poor voters will be hammered in the left wing media with the message that they are stupid -- every show from the news to whatever their versions are Oprah and Saturday Night Live.
Europe is stuned! So is their Beeber!
Excellent summation. I think we need you to go over there and explain it to the Spanish and the Italians.
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