Netherlands to hold a referendum on the Ukrainian question

Citizens participating in the referendum will be asked the question: "Are you for or against the ratification of the Agreement on the Association of European Union and Ukraine?"

Procedural aspects

The intention of the referendum procedure is to compel the Government to issue a voters "correction” bill, forcing the Parliament to stage a re-vote on the Association within the framework of such a correction of the Law. The final decision belongs to the exclusive position of the Netherlands Parliament.

The Netherlands have the right to block any decision the EU makes under the Lisbon Treaty, adopted at the EU summit in 2007.

The referendum was organized by the Dutch political eurosceptics of the Party of Freedom and representatives of the Socialist Party. The organizers managed to gather the required 300,000 signatures, which, according to the Law of the Netherlands and the EU, immediately stops the implementation of the Association, including the visa-free regime for Ukrainian tourists.

Expectations

According to the latest public opinion polls, 40% are against the Association, 25% are for it, and the rest are undecided. Although the referendum is being held in the Netherlands, a number of European politicians and parties are trying to influence the outcome. For example, the German Deutsche Welle, which is controlled by Merkel's government, regularly disseminated propaganda to promote the Association with Ukraine. An example of observed violations of Dutch law are the calls to vote in support of the Association on the evening of April 5th, when the quiet period must be respected.

Two types of European democracies

The German intervention clearly displays the two trends in European politics. One trend is in favor of the right of people to participate in their own destiny and determine future relations with other countries. This is characteristic of classical European traditions of representative democracy. The other trend acts from the side of European bureaucrats and tries to impose its own agenda. It is common for transatlantic liberals (including, Merkel) to manipulate public opinion for the sake of the geopolitical interests of Washington and Brussels.

Possible consequences

If the majority votes against the Association with Ukraine, there will be a number of consequences, including the blocking of the visa-free regime with Ukraine, a ban on labor migration, and serious limitations in the sphere of trade and services.

Furthermore, it means another victory for the Eurosceptics, not only in the Netherlands, but also in the EU.

If the European Commission attempts to challenge the results of the referendum, it will play into the hands of the Eurosceptics and will highlight the crisis in the legal system of the European Union.

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Association
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