I guess this calls for your resident dutch correspondent...
man I'm feeling like a complete chagrin about this..
1) We got a referendum bill last year, making it possible to organise a referendum about a law after 400000 signatures we're collected
2) we have a right-wing blog called 'geen stijl' (No Style) which was almost cut by its owner because it didn't make anymoney, (even thoguh it is well read, it allways acts like a'school bully'.
3) A number of anti-eu activist teamed up with them.. They saw an opportunity to slowly move nl out of the EU, Geen stiojl one to gain attention...
4) they campaigned for the signatures using their blog, that went fast.. claiming it was about The EU, (and immkigration, and etc..)
5) Formally the law to ratify the Ukraine-association was being subject to a referendum, because it was a law, eventhough we already signed and ratified the treaty in both chambers.. and nobody when drawing up the law thought about that scenario..
6) The peope who took the initiative atmitted last week they didn't care about the association treaty at all... they had 'not even read it'
And so it happened yesterday.. Most of 'my friends didn't want to vote because they didn't want to legitimate this referendum (or referenda at all).. not because they didn't care..
I held out until 19.45PM, when it looked like the threshold would be met, and went out to vote, as apparantly did quite a few people.. Later that evening it seemed it was close anyway.. so i really feel bad now about voting, and thus helping to legimate a referendum which is really a misuse of the instrument and the law...
And so we wake up with a refenduym with a clear no, and just above the threshold.. And nobody really knowing wha tit means...because
1) It is the first time the law is used after being passed last year..
2) It is not binding
3) how do you cancel a law to ratify, when the treaty is more than bilateral and already partly into effect
4) how do you appreciate the voice of the many people who didn't went on principle...
5) what does this mean for the future of the referendum law, and our relationship with the EU....