'No' in the Netherlands : 60% opposed to European Constitution

In spite of the government’s attempts to achieve the opposite : the 'No' gains ground in the Netherlands. People who consider themselves well informed about the European Constitution, tend to vote NO at the coming referendum in the Netherlands on June 1st. This shows a survey among a panel 16.000 participants conducted by the Dutch television program '2 Vandaag' on May 11th.

85% of the people who claim to know the contents of the Constitution very well, plan to vote 'no'. Of those who say they know the rough outline of the Constitution, 73% will vote against. People who say they are ill informed, or completely unaware of the contents of the Constitution do not tend so much towards a 'No' : respectively 46 and 38 percent. This brings the total of 'No'-voters to 60%. This survey, that was also conducted in April, shows a growing resistance against the Constitution. In april, 53% of the members of the panel was opposed.

Voters in favour of the Constitution argue that the treaty is one step forward in the European integration. Also peace and security of a united Europe are mentioned as reasons to vote 'Yes'. The most important reason for a 'No' is the fear or marginalisation of the Netherlands, and that the bigger member states like France and Germany will pull the strings in an united Europe.

When regrouped per political party, only the electorate of the christian democrates (CDA) and the liberal democrates (D66) shows a majority for a 'yes', which is in line with the party’s official standpoint. The neo-liberal VVD (roughly equivalent to the French UMP), the social-democrate PvdA (roughly equivalent to the French PS) and the Greens of GroenLinks are faced with a rather rebellious electorate: in spite of the parties’ enthusiasm for the Constitution, a majority of their voters is against. The socialist SP (situated on the left side of both the PVDA and the Greens) can rejoice in the support of its voters : electorate and party alike are firmly against the European Constitution.

Source: Newropeans Magazine