DUSHANBE, April 7, 2016, Asia-Plus — Voters in the Netherlands have rejected in a referendum an EU partnership deal removing trade barriers with Ukraine, preliminary results suggest.
Media reports say that with 99.8% of the votes counted, 61.1% had said “No”, with 38% supporting a deal.
Turnout is projected at 32%, above the 30% threshold of voters needed to be valid but within a 3% margin of error, according to
BBC
.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his government may have to reconsider the treaty if the vote is valid.
The Dutch parliament has already ratified the EU agreement and the result of the vote is not binding.
“We will have to wait and see but it is clear that the ”No” voters won convincingly. The question is whether or not the required turnout will be met.” Mr Rutte said in a televised reaction.
“My view is that if the turnout is more than 30%, with such a victory for the ”No” camp, ratification cannot go ahead without discussion.”
BBC
says the referendum was triggered by an internet petition begun by Eurosceptic activists that attracted some 450,000 signatures.
The vote was also seen as a test of public opinion towards the EU, and observers said many voters were likely to use the referendum as a chance to protest against the EU”s expansion and what they consider to be its undemocratic decision-making processes.
Voters were asked to either back the deal, reject it or fill in a blank box. During the day, turnout seemed to be lower than in national or local elections.
The Dutch government said it may have to reconsider ratifying a treaty establishing closer European Union ties with Ukraine after a strong majority of voters rejected the pact in a non-binding referendum.
