As expected, Dutch voters today defeated the EU Constitution in their referendum by a resounding 62% majority, far more than was expected. Although the defeat in France on Sunday officially scotched the Constitution, this defeat really drives the message of popular dissatisfaction with the EU government home with a vengeance.
The referendum in the Netherlands was not actually binding, but although Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende expressed great disappointment with the result he promised that the government would abide by it. He might not have been so cooperative had France not led the way in voting against the Constitution, but his current position makes it hard for the EU bureaucrats to pressure him into overriding the referendum.
Voter turnout was higher than expected, with over 62% making their voices heard. Opposition was apparently strongest from the large right-libertarian element in the Netherlands who both feared EU interference in business and in their rather free moral traditions of legal drugs and prostitution. More extreme right-wing groups also opposed the Constitution for the same reason as those in France, concern over job exportation and uncontrolled immigration. The Dutch also expressed a concern over the current weakness of the Euro, an issue which is a major factor in the upcoming German election which is expected to bring down the Schroeder government in favor of a conservative coalition. The main difference between the vote in France and the Netherlands was that the socialist element in the Netherlands supported the Constitution more faithfully, but they were overwhelmed by the broad-based opposition. One element driving the vote in the Netherlands which was not as clear in France was that many voters saw this vote as a vote for or against the European Union itself, and there is a growing sentiment in opposition to the EU as an institution among the Dutch.
Article comments
1 - RJ
When actual European people have the chance to speak their voice, they reject the EU.
When their political reps have their say, they almost unanimously support the EU.
Which perhaps illustrates the gulf between Europe's people and its leaders...
2 - Dave Nalle
Kind of restores my faith in the people of Europe. One wonders what else their leaders are doing in their name that they don't really support.
Look for my article this week on the upcoming German election and some remarkable changes we can expect there.
Dave
3 - Georgio
Dave the more I read about this issue the more it sounds like the new Europe will become more like the USA ...is that what they are afraid of...?
4 - MDE
What would have happened if the US constitution had required ratification by popular votes in the states rather than by conventions?
Mark
5 - Dave Nalle
>>Dave the more I read about this issue the more it sounds like the new Europe will become more like the USA ...is that what they are afraid of...?<<
Half of them are afraid of that and the other half are still very concerned about end-run efforts by the Eurocrats. England is in an uproar over the possibility that the EU will try to sneak the Constitution through as a series of bills in Parliament thereby bypassing the referendum.
I wasn't aware of this until yesterday, but apparently the actual wording of the requirement for ratification of the Constitution is only that the heads of state of each country approve it - no legislatures, no referendums, just 25 elected guys. Pretty scary.
>>What would have happened if the US constitution had required ratification by popular votes in the states rather than by conventions?<<
The Bill of Rights would probably still have sold it to the public. Without the Bill of Rights, which was tacked on at the last minute it would have failed. You know, Rhode Island still hasn't ratified it.
Dave