Posted on 05/13/2005 6:52:58 PM PDT by blam
Rebellious Dutch ready to say No to Europe
By David Rennie in The Hague
(Filed: 14/05/2005)
The Eurocrats are stunned. The draft EU constitution is already facing a severe test in France with opinion polls showing only a narrow majority in favour after weeks of the No vote leading.
But if the document scrapes through France's May 29 referendum, it could be defeated, if not derailed completely, three days later in Holland.
Dutch anti-euro demonstrators
Though the polls are hard to interpret, with large numbers still undecided, the current crop shows a majority of voters ready to vote No.
Many of Holland's potential No voters are committed pro-Europeans. But that does not stop them being in a dangerously mutinous mood toward Europe.
Many feel that the introduction of the euro brought with it inflation, a most un-Dutch disease. Some believe that last year's admission of 10 new nations to the EU came too soon, and further diluted the influence of Holland, a founding member of what is now a 25-nation club.
Others feel that Europe is moving too swiftly towards federalism, or worry about the future admission of Muslim Turkey. Some are angry that, per inhabitant, Holland pays more into the EU budget than any other country.
For many, it is simply the chance to say No that appeals. The Dutch do not traditionally hold referendums - this is the first for 200 years. The plebiscite is technically non-binding, but all the major parties have agreed to heed its decision if turnout is more than 30 per cent.
The draft constitution is hailed by supporters as a vital move to streamline decision-making in the enlarged EU by allowing most issues to be decided by majority votes, rather than unanimity. Opponents call that a blow against national sovereignty.
The constitution also creates the posts of EU president, and an EU foreign minister. Some view that as a step toward statehood that fails to take into account yawning foreign policy disputes within Europe, recently on display during the Iraq crisis.
Maurice de Hond, one of Holland's leading pollsters, hears negative opinions every day. "Our whole political system is in crisis. It is like a fire burning underground that has suddenly burst to the surface," he said.
The Dutch government, a centre-Right coalition, did not want the referendum, which was demanded by parliament and, partly as a result, began campaigning in earnest for a Yes vote only in the past few days.
"The government is trying to divide the population, saying you are either in favour of Europe or against," said Mr de Hond.
The prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, recently wrote an article implying that a No vote risked a return to the divided Europe of the Second World War.
"A lot of people feel offended by that," said Mr de Hond.
André ten Dam, a lawyer, is preparing a class-action lawsuit against the Dutch government. He leapt into action after the executive head of the country's central bank admitted that when the Dutch currency, the guilder, was replaced by the euro on Jan 1 2003, the exchange rate probably undervalued the guilder's true strength by between five and 10 per cent.
Mr ten Dam is now demanding "compensation" for all Dutch citizens whose savings were translated from guilders to euros.
The legal action is doomed but it is a strong indication of wider disgruntlement that predates the referendum. A flamboyant populist, Pim Fortuyn shattered decades of cosy consensus by voicing the resentment of many native Dutch against Muslim immigrants, who now make up six per cent of the population.
Mr Fortuyn was on the eve of sweeping to political power in the 2002 elections when he was shot dead by an animal rights extremist, a murder matched only for its shock value by last November's brutal killing of Theo van Gogh, a provocative film-maker, shot and stabbed to death by a young Muslim extremist.
Michiel van Hulten, a former MEP, is campaign director of the Better European foundation, the largest government-funded group in the Yes camp. Its spartan attic office testifies to its tiny budget.
He was clear that the greatest task he faced was to combat "a general sense of pessimism" that had taken hold of Dutch politics and the debate on Europe.
"Most people, if you asked them, would not make a direct connection between Pim Fortuyn, Theo van Gogh and this referendum, but it's there. Our whole political system is falling apart. It needs to be reassembled," said Mr van Hulten.
A staff member of the finance ministry asked not to be named as he admitted that he would be voting No. "There should have been a referendum on the euro, there should be a referendum on Turkish entry," he said. "I'm voting against the constitution because politicians cannot tell me why I should be voting for it."
anyone want to guess that if the EU constitution falls apart that the ones that voted to ratify it go after the ones who voted to stay out of it?
Sure they will, but I am proud of the Dutch. If they do vote not to join the EU, it will show some good old independence----
At least someone in Europe is showing some sense!
Long live the guilder!
Rebellious Europe saying no to the EU
The EU (being led by socialist France) will always penalize those that "do well", in order to compensate those that "do not do well".
The result is a generic malaise of mediocratity that eveyone can 'sustain' under.
Whatever nation is at the 'top' of the EU economincally will resent it, while those at the bottom will sing its praises 'for saving them'.
Wise men once said, you won't learn to laugh, until you are able to cry.
Another way... the highest highs, are only as of the same magnintude of the lowest lowes.
The converse... if you have no highs, you won't have any lows, otherwise known as communism, has proven is uselessnes long-term, thoughout history.
Good luck EU.
where is quidnunc? .. this was his post.
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