Dutch set to reject EU charter

CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL – The Netherlands voted in a referendum on the European constitution yesterday with polls pointing to a resounding “No” that would compound a crisis in the bloc triggered by France’s rejection on Sunday.

Most mainstream parties, including the centre-right government, campaigned for a “Yes” vote, but voter surveys point to a solid “No” majority, with opposition rising in most polls since the French shunned the charter three days ago. A second rejection after France would deliver a heavy blow to EU leaders’ hopes of streamlining decisions in an expanded bloc and could further weigh on the euro , which fell to its lowest level against the dollar in more than seven months.Most EU leaders have said the ratification process should continue until all countries have had their say, but diplomats say that is a holding position until a June 16-17 summit.Britain could call off its referendum planned for next year but is likely to wait for agreement with other EU leaders.Bright sunny weather encouraged many people to cast an early vote in the first ever Dutch referendum, but there was little sign the warmth had softened opposition to the constitution.Gerard Drieman, a middle-aged man from Amsterdam, said he wanted to stall the EU’s expansion, which could take in Turkey.”This is an opportunity to stop it, or rather delay it, because we cannot really block it.They will do whatever they want,” he said after casting his “No” vote.Eddy Haighton, a pensioner in Capelle aan den Ijssel, near the port city of Rotterdam, was a resigned “Yes” voter.”It will be a ‘no’ vote for all kinds of other reasons but not the real ones.Referendums are always a bad idea because people vote guided by emotions.They don’t want change.”Support for the European Union in the Netherlands – like France one of its 1950s founding members – has traditionally been strong, but growing political and social problems and anti-immigrant sentiment has undermined it in recent years.Opposition to the treaty has been driven by a range of issues, from deep Dutch dislike of the euro, opposition to Turkey’s bid to join the bloc and concerns Brussels might undermine liberal Dutch policies on gay marriage and abortion.- Nampa-ReutersA second rejection after France would deliver a heavy blow to EU leaders’ hopes of streamlining decisions in an expanded bloc and could further weigh on the euro , which fell to its lowest level against the dollar in more than seven months.Most EU leaders have said the ratification process should continue until all countries have had their say, but diplomats say that is a holding position until a June 16-17 summit.Britain could call off its referendum planned for next year but is likely to wait for agreement with other EU leaders.Bright sunny weather encouraged many people to cast an early vote in the first ever Dutch referendum, but there was little sign the warmth had softened opposition to the constitution.Gerard Drieman, a middle-aged man from Amsterdam, said he wanted to stall the EU’s expansion, which could take in Turkey.”This is an opportunity to stop it, or rather delay it, because we cannot really block it.They will do whatever they want,” he said after casting his “No” vote.Eddy Haighton, a pensioner in Capelle aan den Ijssel, near the port city of Rotterdam, was a resigned “Yes” voter.”It will be a ‘no’ vote for all kinds of other reasons but not the real ones.Referendums are always a bad idea because people vote guided by emotions.They don’t want change.”Support for the European Union in the Netherlands – like France one of its 1950s founding members – has traditionally been strong, but growing political and social problems and anti-immigrant sentiment has undermined it in recent years.Opposition to the treaty has been driven by a range of issues, from deep Dutch dislike of the euro, opposition to Turkey’s bid to join the bloc and concerns Brussels might undermine liberal Dutch policies on gay marriage and abortion.- Nampa-Reuters