MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

EU “NO” landslide: “time to listen to the people”

Dutch Primer Minister Jan Peter Balkenende recognized late Wednesday the NO victory (63%) in the European Constitution ratification referendum saying that “voters have sent an unequivocal message and we will honour it”.

The vote was consultative and not legally binding, but the Dutch parliament is expected to endorse the result when it meets Thursday.

"I'm disappointed, I'm not happy with the outcome because in the cabinet we campaigned for YES", however the big turnout (62%) and the extensive debate on the issue during the campaign were described by PM Balkenende as "very positive".

However he pointed out that the ratification process in other European countries should continue because it's important "to know what each country thinks".

The Dutch No was expected according to opinion polls and follows France's rejection of the EU constitution last Sunday.

The outcome of the Dutch referendum was "a verdict on the constitutional treaty and not a verdict on European cooperation", said Mr. Balkenende adding that "I'll explain the motives of the Dutch No to my European colleagues and ask then to consider it with fairness since we understand the feelings of the Dutch people".

The Prime Minister went on to say that the "loss of sovereignty, the rhythm of change with the citizens not feeling involved and the financial contributions of Holland to the EU", help to explain the negative vote.

"Europe lately has been too much politics and not enough people's participation", he emphasized.

The Dutch government and major opposition parties making up 80% of the country's Members of Parliament had supported the constitution and argued that it would enhance Holland's influence in Europe.

However political analysts believe that voters are unhappy about higher prices since the Euro was introduced and many feel threatened by what they see as a super-state that could interfere with liberal policies. The fast enlargement of the EU and the possible inclusion of Turkey is not seen with good eyes in Holland.

Geer Wilders a leader of the NO voters said there's nothing special against Europe, rather "Dutch people simply don't want to loose their identity; we have to slow down this political adventure"

So far nine EU countries, Austria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain have supported the constitution which needs to be approved by the EU 25 member states to become law.

Britain is expected to announce next Monday that it will not be holding a referendum on the European constitution. The UK press had anticipated that a Dutch NO followed Sunday's NO in France, Prime Minister Tony Blair would scrap the ratification referendum which is considered "condemned to failure"

At least in its present form the French and Dutch NO votes are interpreted as a death blow for the European constitution in its present form.