Over 440,000 Dutch call for referendum on Ukraine EU treaty

DutchNews, September 27, 2015

A Dutch citizens’ initiative to force a referendum on a far-reaching treaty between Brussels and Ukraine had gathered 446,000 signatures by early Sunday evening. 

The campaign to hold a referendum was launched by shock blog Geenstijl, think-tank Forum voor Democratie and the Burgercomite EU association earlier this month.

In 2014, the Dutch approved legislation to allow ‘advisory referendums’ on controversial topics, if supporters can gather 300,000 signatures. The Dutch parliament has already voted in favour of the treaty.

The aim is of the treaty is to foster political relationships and kickstart economic integration and supporters say it shifts Ukraine away from Russia and more towards the west. 

Opponents say the treaty will cost Dutch taxpayers billions of euros and that the EU’s expansion driver is having an adverse impact on democracy in the Netherlands.

They also argue that the Dutch parliament no longer does what its own voters want, but are driven by Brussels’ own interests. 

If there is a referendum, the results will not be binding on parliament.