Dutch reject EU constitution

Dutch voters have rejected the EU constitution, the second defeat for the proposed treaty in a week.

According to unofficial results, over 60% of voters in the Netherlands referendum voted against the constitution. The result follows the devastating result in France at the weekend, when around 55% of the voters rejected the treaty.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said he was “disappointed” by the vote, but he agreed to accept the outcome, although the result of the country’s referendum was non-binding.

The result of the Dutch referendum was widely expected to be ‘No’. It was reported that many Dutch voters were unhappy about price rises since the introduction of the euro and many also felt wary about the interference of a Brussels ‘super state’ in more liberal Dutch policies, such as those dealing with euthanasia, prostitution and marijuana use. There has also been opposition to the possible inclusion of Turkey in the EU.

The results of the French and Dutch referendums could have serious consequences for the EU constitution, as both countries are founder members of the European Union. However, ten countries have now ratified the treaty – Austria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia all ratified the constitution through their respective parliaments, while the Spanish people voted for the constitution in a referendum. Latvia is the latest country to ratify the treaty – their parliament approved the treaty by 71- 5 today.

The constitution has to be approved by all 25 member states before it can be introduced.

Commenting on the results of the Dutch referendum on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme, Minister for Europe Douglas Alexander remained hopeful that the constitution could be saved. He said that while the French and Dutch votes had left the treaty in “serious difficulty”, it was agreed by 25 nations, so “it’s not for one country to declare it dead”.

However, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that the verdicts raised “profound questions for all of us about the future direction of Europe”.

Britain has yet to decide on whether a referendum will be held on the EU constitution following the rejection of the treaty by the French. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was too early to decide on a referendum.

Mr Straw will make a statement to the Commons on the implications of the French and Dutch referendums on June 6.

(KMcA/SP)