Dutch cabinet decides against EU referendum
MARK BEUNDERMAN
21.09.2007 @ 18:01 CET
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The Dutch government on Friday decided against holding a referendum on the new EU treaty – but parties in the Dutch parliament look set to ignore this decision and push for an own-initiative poll.
The cabinet proposed after its weekly meeting on Friday (21 September) that the EU's Reform Treaty will be ratified by parliament, not by referendum.
"A new referendum is not necessary and not desirable"
(Photo: European Commission)
"We have opted for a normal ratification procedure," Dutch prime minister Jan-Peter Balkenende told a press conference after the meeting. "A new referendum is not necessary and not desirable"
Dutch voters in 2005 overwhelmingly rejected the EU constitution – a document which according to Mr Balkenende was fundamentally different from the reform treaty set to be signed by EU leaders in October.
"We are not talking about a constitution anymore. The constitution is gone," he said.
Referring to a key report by the Council of State, the Dutch government's highest advisory body, Mr Balkenende stated the new treaty "is not going the road of a statist or federal Europe."
"The new treaty gives answers to the worries of the Dutch population," he indicated, referring to fresh elements such as a stronger role for national parliaments and clearly defined EU enlargement criteria.
But the prime minister also admitted that one of the reasons for Friday's decision is that the Netherlands cannot afford a possible second "no" in an EU referendum.
"If the Netherlands would vote 'no' again, what would happen?...a situation of new negotiations would not occur just like that. You shouldn't take new negotiations for granted."
"Other member states have made maximum concessions," he said, adding "it is not realistic to start discussions with all member states anew."
But despite the cabinet decision on Friday, the referendum debate is far from over.
Three opposition parties in the Dutch parliament have said they will propose an own-initiative bill to organise a referendum. The new referendum bill is to be put forward by two pro-European parties – the Greens and the left-liberal D66 – as well as the eurosceptic Socialist party.
D66 member of parliament Boris van der Ham told EUobserver "It is not logical to ask people in 2005 – what do you think? – and then not put the changed treaty to them now."
Mr van der Ham added "we shouldn't be afraid that there will be a second no." "The first referendum was the first one ever on European integration. There was a lot of frustration, about the euro, about EU commitments not being met. That effect will be less this time."
The move by the three parties is reminiscent of the situation in 2005, when the parliament - against the wishes of prime minister Balkenende - organised a referendum on the EU constitution.
The Labour party, which is in the government coalition, could back the opposition bill and help create a parliamentary majority for a referendum. Labour has not officially taken a position on the issue, but prominent members of the party have come out in favour of a fresh EU poll.
"I do expect that there will be a majority in the parliament for the referendum bill. Labour has on many occasions said they are in favour of the idea," Liberal (VVD) member of parliament Han ten Broeke said. "Either they back down under pressure from Balkenende or they stick to their position."
Mr Balkenende for his part said he had "trust" in Labour MPs supporting the cabinet. They will make up their mind in a meeting on Tuesday.
Anti-referendum voices hope that a parliamentary referendum bill could eventually be blocked in the senate, which is more conservative in its composition.
Christian Democrat and Liberal senators are seen to be against having a referendum – but the Liberal VVD party holds a key position in the senate and could still tip the balance towards a pro-referendum vote.
Prominent VVD member and former European Commissioner Frits Bolkestein in an opinion article in daily De Volkskrant on Friday called upon his party to back a new referendum. He wrote that a new treaty poll is necessary to counter the idea that Europe is being forced on people through the "back door."
But the Dutch senate traditionally has a more legal than political role, and could therefore be more prone to follow the Council of State line saying there is no legal requirement for a treaty poll.
"I think the Council of State advice will weigh heavily on the senate - including on the VVD faction," according to Mr Ten Broeke.
