Dutch voters have spoken out strongly against the association agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. In the referendum promoted by the Eurosceptics, the votes against reached 61,1% on the basis of 99,8% of the ballots examined (the definitive results will be announced only next Tuesday). The turnout reached 32,2% and thus exceeded the quorum, which had been set at 30%.
Dutch law allows legislation or measures to be submitted to a popular vote (suspension and non-binding) when at least 300 citizens ask for it. Eurosceptics had collected 450 signatures in this case, presenting a basically commercial agreement – which creates a free trade area and strengthens political ties – as if it were a first step towards Kiev's entry into the EU.
Last year the Dutch parliament ratified the agreement with Ukraine, as did the other 27 member states of the union, but the final ratification was suspended when the referendum was called. The Hague could ask now to re-discuss some clauses, especially the political ones.
For his part, the Ukrainian president Poroshenko affirmed that Kiev will continue its process of rapprochement to the EU despite the Dutch vote.
The outcome of the referendum, which is only consultative, should not have immediate and significant consequences on relations between Brussels and Ukraine, but it cannot fail to affect the internal political structure of the Netherlands.
"The agreement cannot be ratified as it currently stands", commented Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who had sided with the yes but has a majority of only 76 votes out of 150 in the House, while Geert Wilders' Freedom Party – number one of the Eurosceptic and anti-Islamic Dutch far right – is leading the polls less than a year before the general elections.
Many, including Wilders himself, foresee (or hope) repercussions also on the referendum to be held in Great Britain in June on the possibility of leaving the EU.
