Dutch activists are well on their way to forcing another EU treaty vote
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch activists are well on their way to forcing another EU treaty vote

Dutch News  

Supporters of a referendum on the EU’s free trade deals with the US and Canada have collected two-thirds of the signatures necessary to force a vote. Some 200,000 people have now signed a petition calling for a public vote, which is backed by environmental group Milieudefensie and food lobby group Foodwatch among others. In April, the Netherlands held a referendum on the EU’s treaty with Ukraine, which the no vote won. The petition states: ‘these treaties are a threat to democracy, give too much power to big companies and have major consequences for national labour, social, environmental, privacy and consumer standards.’ ‘TTIP and Ceta are old-school trade agreements where the interests of companies are more important than the people who live in those countries,’ Niesco Dubbelboer, one of the leaders behind the referendum initiative,’ told Reuters.

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History of this topic

The Netherlands will back Ukraine's EU candidacy after all
2 years, 9 months ago

The Netherlands will back Ukraine's EU candidacy after all

Dutch News  

The Netherlands will support Ukraine’s candidate membership of the EU, foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra said after Friday’s cabinet meeting. ‘The European Commission’s proposal does justice to the situation in Ukraine and so we are going to do this.’ Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said earlier on Friday that Brussels recommended Ukraine be given candidate status. All in all, the …

The Netherlands will back Ukraine's EU candidacy after all
2 years, 9 months ago

The Netherlands will back Ukraine's EU candidacy after all

Dutch News  

The Netherlands will support Ukraine’s candidate membership of the EU, foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra said after Friday’s cabinet meeting. ‘The European Commission’s proposal does justice to the situation in Ukraine and so we are going to do this.’ Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said earlier on Friday that Brussels recommended Ukraine be given candidate status. All in all, the …

Dutch MPs call for tough sanctions against Russia after Ukraine move
3 years, 1 month ago

Dutch MPs call for tough sanctions against Russia after Ukraine move

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte has again condemned Russia’s decision to formally recognise two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine and send in troops as a ‘peacekeeping’ force. ‘It is unacceptable for Russia to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty by recognising Luhansk and Donetsk.’ ‘At the moment, the military situation on the ground is not yet entirely clear,’ Rutte said. The government is in …

Dutch MPs call for tough sanctions against Russia after Ukraine move
3 years, 1 month ago

Dutch MPs call for tough sanctions against Russia after Ukraine move

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte has again condemned Russia’s decision to formally recognise two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine and send in troops as a ‘peacekeeping’ force. ‘It is unacceptable for Russia to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty by recognising Luhansk and Donetsk.’ ‘At the moment, the military situation on the ground is not yet entirely clear,’ Rutte said. The government is in …

Europeans urged to sign petition campaigning for full voting rights
4 years, 6 months ago

Europeans urged to sign petition campaigning for full voting rights

Dutch News  

EU nationals living in the Netherlands are being urged to sign a petition which will put full voting rights on the European agenda. ‘We demand the EU to remove a stain on European democracy and empower European citizenship, by implementing full political rights for all EU citizens,’ the petition states. The initiative calls on member states to extend voting rights …

Europeans urged to sign petition campaigning for full voting rights
4 years, 6 months ago

Europeans urged to sign petition campaigning for full voting rights

Dutch News  

EU nationals living in the Netherlands are being urged to sign a petition which will put full voting rights on the European agenda. ‘We demand the EU to remove a stain on European democracy and empower European citizenship, by implementing full political rights for all EU citizens,’ the petition states. The initiative calls on member states to extend voting rights …

Half of Dutch want referendum on new organ donor law
6 years, 11 months ago

Half of Dutch want referendum on new organ donor law

NL Times  

Just over half - 52 percent - of Dutch voters are in favor of holding a referendum on the new organ donation law, according to the weekly poll by Maurice de Hond. The new law, a D66 initiative, basically states that if you as a Dutch adult do not explicitly opt out of being an organ donor, you will be …

Big brother referendum backers have 179,000 signatures so far
7 years, 5 months ago

Big brother referendum backers have 179,000 signatures so far

Dutch News  

Opponents of new Dutch legislation giving the security services vastly increased powers to intercept and monitor digital communications, have collected 179,000 signatures so far in their efforts to force a referendum on the issue. In total, the campaign, launched earlier this year by students, needs to gather 300,000 signatures to force the government to organise a referendum on the plans. …

Dutch students launch petition for referendum on 'big brother' law
7 years, 7 months ago

Dutch students launch petition for referendum on 'big brother' law

Dutch News  

Four science students at the University of Amsterdam have started a petition calling for a referendum on new Dutch laws giving far greater powers to the security services to intercept and monitor internet traffic. The four students have so far collected 10,000 signatures which first need to be assessed by the voting council Kiesraad. ‘It is remarkable how little discussion …

Referendums a threat to democracy: Dutch Council of State
7 years, 11 months ago

Referendums a threat to democracy: Dutch Council of State

NL Times  

The thoughtless use of referendums and other forms of "people's democracy" sooner or later undermines the functioning of the Dutch representative democracy and the rule of law, according to Piet Hein Donner, the vice president of the Netherlands most important advisory body the Council of State, in the Council's annual report, the Volkskrant reports. "European integration, Atlantic safety, the democratic …

Were the signatures calling for the 2016 Ukraine referendum genuine?
8 years, 1 month ago

Were the signatures calling for the 2016 Ukraine referendum genuine?

Dutch News  

The government does not know whether the 427,000 signatures calling for the controversial 2016 referendum on the Ukraine-EU trade treaty are genuine, reports broadcaster RTL. Many signatures were collected via an app developed by campaign body GeenPeil – a Eurosceptic group affiliated to a satirical website GeenStijl, which is fielding candidates for the general election on March 15. The Ukraine …

Were the signatures calling for the 2016 Ukraine referendum genuine?
8 years, 1 month ago

Were the signatures calling for the 2016 Ukraine referendum genuine?

Dutch News  

The government does not know whether the 427,000 signatures calling for the controversial 2016 referendum on the Ukraine-EU trade treaty are genuine, reports broadcaster RTL. Many signatures were collected via an app developed by campaign body GeenPeil – a Eurosceptic group affiliated to a satirical website GeenStijl, which is fielding candidates for the general election on March 15. The Ukraine …

Anti-Ukraine treaty group takes Dutch government to court
8 years, 2 months ago

Anti-Ukraine treaty group takes Dutch government to court

Dutch News  

One of the groups behind last year’s referendum on the EU treaty with Ukraine is going to court on Friday in an effort to prevent the Dutch government ratifying the agreement. Thierry Baudet’s Forum for Democracy wants judges to stop the government pressing ahead with ratification, now that other EU members states agreed to a separate declaration which clarifies parts …

Anti-Ukraine treaty group takes Dutch government to court
8 years, 2 months ago

Anti-Ukraine treaty group takes Dutch government to court

Dutch News  

One of the groups behind last year’s referendum on the EU treaty with Ukraine is going to court on Friday in an effort to prevent the Dutch government ratifying the agreement. Thierry Baudet’s Forum for Democracy wants judges to stop the government pressing ahead with ratification, now that other EU members states agreed to a separate declaration which clarifies parts …

Dutch get their EU deal on Ukraine referendum; now it's up to the senate
8 years, 3 months ago

Dutch get their EU deal on Ukraine referendum; now it's up to the senate

Dutch News  

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte has won the support of the 27 other European leaders for a supplementary to the Ukraine treaty which makes it clear what the agreement actually entails. No EU membership According to the supplementary declaration, the treaty of association with Ukraine aims to provide for a ‘close and consistent relationship with Ukraine’ without it being seen …

Dutch PM hopes to reach Ukraine-deal compromise at EU summit today
8 years, 3 months ago

Dutch PM hopes to reach Ukraine-deal compromise at EU summit today

NL Times  

The European Summit in Brussels today is expected to be a tense one. One of the main items on the agenda is the fact that the Netherlands still has not ratified the association agreement with the Ukraine, the only EU country not to do so. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will try get his fellow EU leaders to accept a …

No deal yet on Ukraine treaty, Dutch foreign minister says
8 years, 3 months ago

No deal yet on Ukraine treaty, Dutch foreign minister says

Dutch News  

The cabinet has not yet reached agreement with other EU states on a separate declaration to take away Dutch objections to the EU treaty with Ukraine, foreign minister Bert Koenders told parliament on Tuesday. The declaration would state that that the Ukraine treaty is not a stepping stone to Ukraine joining the EU and that Ukraine nationals do not have …

Dutch PM Rutte to demand that EU limits Ukraine deal: report
8 years, 3 months ago

Dutch PM Rutte to demand that EU limits Ukraine deal: report

NL Times  

Prime Minister Mark Rutte plans to ask the EU leaders to put limits on he association agreement with the Ukraine at a EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Reuters reports based on information from diplomatic sources. A Dutch drafted document, which Reuters caught sight off, states that the Netherlands wants to make it clear that this association agreement is not …

Rutte urged to ignore Ukraine referendum and ratify treaty
8 years, 3 months ago

Rutte urged to ignore Ukraine referendum and ratify treaty

Dutch News  

Mark Rutte’s government should ratify Ukraine’s association treaty with the EU despite the ‘no’ vote in this year’s referendum, according to its main advisory body on foreign affairs. The Advisory Council on International Affairs said a rejection of the treaty could damage the Netherlands’ standing and European unity, pointing out that the referendum on April 6 was advisory and not …

With Trump's election, Dutch PM told to ratify Ukraine deal
8 years, 3 months ago

With Trump's election, Dutch PM told to ratify Ukraine deal

NL Times  

The Advisory Council on International Affairs called upon Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte to push through ratification of a European Union agreement with the Ukraine. Contrarily, by approving the deal, the Netherlands will help build closer ties to the Ukraine and prevent the appearance of a divided European Union on eastern European policy. “It should be equally taken into account …

Dutch Ukraine referendum vote was not a vote on Europe, researchers say
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch Ukraine referendum vote was not a vote on Europe, researchers say

Dutch News  

Research into the motives of people who voted in April’s referendum on the EU treaty with Ukraine has found that anti-EU sentiment was not the main driver. Researchers, led by Kristof Jacobs from Radboud Universiteit in Nijmegen, say the main reason for voting no was concern about corruption in Ukraine – cited by 34% of those polled. ‘It would appear …

Dutch prime minister wins more time to negotiate Ukraine treaty deal
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch prime minister wins more time to negotiate Ukraine treaty deal

Dutch News  

MPs have given prime minister Mark Rutte six more weeks to come up with a solution for the Dutch no vote on the EU treaty with Ukraine. He now wants to win support from other EU leaders to tack a separate declaration to the treaty which would make the Dutch doubts clear. The declaration would state that that the Ukraine …

Dutch prime minister wins more time to negotiate Ukraine treaty deal
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch prime minister wins more time to negotiate Ukraine treaty deal

Dutch News  

MPs have given prime minister Mark Rutte six more weeks to come up with a solution for the Dutch no vote on the EU treaty with Ukraine. He now wants to win support from other EU leaders to tack a separate declaration to the treaty which would make the Dutch doubts clear. The declaration would state that that the Ukraine …

Dutch activists are well on their way to forcing another EU treaty vote
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch activists are well on their way to forcing another EU treaty vote

Dutch News  

Supporters of a referendum on the EU’s free trade deals with the US and Canada have collected two-thirds of the signatures necessary to force a vote. Some 200,000 people have now signed a petition calling for a public vote, which is backed by environmental group Milieudefensie and food lobby group Foodwatch among others. In April, the Netherlands held a referendum …

Dutch PM makes urgent appeal for support on Ukraine referendum
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch PM makes urgent appeal for support on Ukraine referendum

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte on Friday made an urgent appeal to opposition parties to support his efforts to reach a compromise over the Ukraine referendum result. The rejection of the EU’s proposed accession treaty with the former Soviet state was non-binding, but Rutte has promised to ‘do justice’ to the outcome. ‘This is bigger than the Netherlands,’ Rutte said at …

Dutch PM makes urgent appeal for support on Ukraine referendum
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch PM makes urgent appeal for support on Ukraine referendum

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte on Friday made an urgent appeal to opposition parties to support his efforts to reach a compromise over the Ukraine referendum result. The rejection of the EU’s proposed accession treaty with the former Soviet state was non-binding, but Rutte has promised to ‘do justice’ to the outcome. ‘This is bigger than the Netherlands,’ Rutte said at …

Time running out on Ukraine referendum
8 years, 4 months ago

Time running out on Ukraine referendum

NL Times  

The Dutch government is running out of time for finding a solution on what to do about ratifying the associatioin agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. "Today and in the coming days we are considerably going to talk about it", Minsiter Bert Koenders said, according to NU. The compromise entails still ratifying the treaty, but also addressing the concerns …

Europe rejects Dutch PM's plan on Ukraine referendum
8 years, 5 months ago

Europe rejects Dutch PM's plan on Ukraine referendum

NL Times  

Prime Minister Mark Rutte got little support from the European leaders on his plan on how to deal with the Netherlands voting no in a referendum on an association agreement between the EU and Ukraine. According to the Volkskrant's sources, Croatia and the Czech Republic rejected the idea of a legally binding statement outright. According to him, geopolitical interest - …

Opposition tight-lipped on talks to end Ukraine referendum impasse
8 years, 5 months ago

Opposition tight-lipped on talks to end Ukraine referendum impasse

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte has held talks with a select group of opposition leaders on how to act on the ‘no’ vote in last April’s referendum on Ukraine. The rejection of the EU’s proposed accession treaty with the former Soviet state was non-binding, but Rutte promised to ‘do justice’ to the outcome. On Monday the prime minister invited party leaders …

Dutch may ratify Ukraine treaty; separate declaration offers way out of impasse
8 years, 5 months ago

Dutch may ratify Ukraine treaty; separate declaration offers way out of impasse

Dutch News  

A declaration by the Netherlands stating how it interprets the EU’s treaty with Ukraine offers a way out of the current impasse following the Dutch no vote, the NRC said on Monday The Netherlands rejected the treaty with the former Soviet state in a referendum in April. In a briefing to parliament, Rutte and foreign minister Bert Koenders say they …

Dutch may ratify Ukraine treaty; separate declaration offers way out of impasse
8 years, 5 months ago

Dutch may ratify Ukraine treaty; separate declaration offers way out of impasse

Dutch News  

A declaration by the Netherlands stating how it interprets the EU’s treaty with Ukraine offers a way out of the current impasse following the Dutch no vote, the NRC said on Monday The Netherlands rejected the treaty with the former Soviet state in a referendum in April. In a briefing to parliament, Rutte and foreign minister Bert Koenders say they …

Government told to make up its mind on Ukraine treaty
8 years, 6 months ago

Government told to make up its mind on Ukraine treaty

Dutch News  

MPs have told the government it must come with a formal reaction to the result of April’s referendum on the EU treaty with Ukraine before the beginning of November, news website Nu.nl said on Friday. MPs from across the political spectrum said the Netherlands’ position on the result and ratification of the treaty has to be made clear before the …

Rutte not hopeful about changing Ukraine treaty
8 years, 8 months ago

Rutte not hopeful about changing Ukraine treaty

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte isn’t hopeful about negotiating a Dutch exemption to an EU trade treaty with Ukraine, NOS reported on Tuesday night. In the first ever ‘people’s referendum’ in April, 62% of voters said no to the association agreement, even though it had already been passed by the 28 EU countries and was provisionally in force. But Rutte said …

The Netherlands threatens not to ratify Ukraine treaty
8 years, 8 months ago

The Netherlands threatens not to ratify Ukraine treaty

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte has raised the issue of amending the EU’s treaty of association with Ukraine with European officials following the Dutch no vote in April’s referendum. Rutte is hoping the treaty can be amended to take away objections raised by people who voted against the treaty, broadcaster NOS said. The NOS said Rutte has been given ‘time’ by …

The Netherlands threatens not to ratify Ukraine treaty
8 years, 8 months ago

The Netherlands threatens not to ratify Ukraine treaty

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte has raised the issue of amending the EU’s treaty of association with Ukraine with European officials following the Dutch no vote in April’s referendum. Rutte is hoping the treaty can be amended to take away objections raised by people who voted against the treaty, broadcaster NOS said. The NOS said Rutte has been given ‘time’ by …

Dutch PM wants to change EU treaty with Ukraine
8 years, 8 months ago

Dutch PM wants to change EU treaty with Ukraine

NL Times  

Prime Minister Mark Rutte wants to change the association agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine in such a way that the concerns of the Dutch who voted against the agreement are alleviated. Dutch voters voted against the Netherlands ratifying the association agreement with the Ukraine in a referendum on April 6th. However, signing without paying attention to the …

Dutch politicians shocked by Brexit vote, see EU reforms ahead
8 years, 9 months ago

Dutch politicians shocked by Brexit vote, see EU reforms ahead

Dutch News  

Britain’s narrow vote in favour of leaving the European Union means Brussels must now undergo serious reform, many Dutch politicians said on Friday. ‘It is a mighty blow for Brussels and politicians working towards the creation of a European super state,’ said party leader Emile Roemer on Twitter. Less Brussels, more democracy.’ Socialist Party MP Harry van Bommel said Europe …

Dutch politicians shocked by Brexit vote, see EU reforms ahead
8 years, 9 months ago

Dutch politicians shocked by Brexit vote, see EU reforms ahead

Dutch News  

Britain’s narrow vote in favour of leaving the European Union means Brussels must now undergo serious reform, many Dutch politicians said on Friday. ‘It is a mighty blow for Brussels and politicians working towards the creation of a European super state,’ said party leader Emile Roemer on Twitter. Less Brussels, more democracy.’ Socialist Party MP Harry van Bommel said Europe …

Dutch PM: Ukraine referendum results "disastrous"
8 years, 9 months ago

Dutch PM: Ukraine referendum results "disastrous"

NL Times  

The results of the Dutch referendum on the association agreement between the Ukraine and the European referendum are "disastrous", Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in the Ridderzaal to a room full of parliamentarians from the EU member states on Monday, ANP reports. According to the Dutch Prime Minister, it "makes no sense" for a country to try and impose its …

Senate to force Netherlands out of Ukraine deal
8 years, 11 months ago

Senate to force Netherlands out of Ukraine deal

NL Times  

The Dutch government may be forced by the Senate to remove its signature from the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine. During a debate in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, on Wednesday Rutte told the parliamentarians that the Dutch government must first discuss the matter of the Netherlands voting "no" in the Ukraine referendum with …

Referendum pressures Netherlands to craft new Ukraine policy
8 years, 11 months ago

Referendum pressures Netherlands to craft new Ukraine policy

NL Times  

The Dutch government will come with an reaction to the Netherlands "no"-vote in the Ukraine referendum last week, and plans on how to proceed, by September at the latest, Minister Bert Koenders of Foreign Affairs wrote in a letter to Parliament on Tuesday. The results of the referendum on the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine puts pressure on …

Ukraine referendum: ministers urge people to vote
8 years, 11 months ago

Ukraine referendum: ministers urge people to vote

Dutch News  

Ministers and party leaders have been urging voters to take part in Wednesday’s referendum on the EU’s treaty with Ukraine as opinion pollsters remain divided on whether or not the crucial 30% turnout will be achieved. Although directly about the EU’s treaty of association with Ukraine, the referendum’s Eurosceptic backers see today’s event as a test of Dutch public opinion …

Dutch say 'no' to treaty with Ukraine and 32% vote: Nos exit poll
8 years, 11 months ago

Dutch say 'no' to treaty with Ukraine and 32% vote: Nos exit poll

Dutch News  

The Dutch have voted ‘no’ in a referendum on the EU’s treaty with Ukraine, with 32% of the electorate taking part, according to an exit poll by broadcaster Nos. However, a majority of political parties said the government must accept the results of the referendum if more than 30% of voters have their say. RTL news commentator Frits Wester said …

Dutch vote in crucial EU referendum on Ukraine
8 years, 11 months ago

Dutch vote in crucial EU referendum on Ukraine

Dutch News  

The Netherlands goes to the polls on Wednesday to take part in a referendum on whether or not the cabinet should support the EU’s treaty of association with Ukraine. All said the government – which has already backed the treaty – should take the results of the referendum ‘seriously’, particularly if the 30% threshold is achieved. Geert Wilders says the …

EU officials take 'wait and see' approach to Dutch no vote (Update)
8 years, 11 months ago

EU officials take 'wait and see' approach to Dutch no vote (Update)

Dutch News  

Few officials outside the Netherlands have yet reacted to the Dutch no vote in Wednesday’s referendum on the EU treaty with Ukraine. Ukraine’s president Petro Poroshenko said the referendum results are ‘no hindrance’ to the Ukraine’s road to Europe and described the vote as ‘purely advisory’. Dutch issue Nos correspondent Gwen ter Horst said the vote is seen as purely …

Dutch people shoot down Ukraine referendum; Voter turnout tops 30 pct.
8 years, 11 months ago

Dutch people shoot down Ukraine referendum; Voter turnout tops 30 pct.

NL Times  

On Wednesday the Netherlands voted "no" in the referendum on the association agreement between the EU and the Ukraine. There the majority of 57.4 percent voted "yes" in the referendum. Amsterdam was also in favor of the association agreement with 52 percent voting for, the voter turnout was 26.8 percent. In Rotterdam 64 percent voted "no", voter turnout 24.4 percent. …

Dutch reject the EU treaty with Ukraine in referendum
8 years, 11 months ago

Dutch reject the EU treaty with Ukraine in referendum

Dutch News  

The Netherlands on Wednesday voted in a referendum against the EU’s treaty with Ukraine by some 62% to 38%. Although the referendum is advisory and not binding on the government, prime minister Mark Rutte has already said the Netherlands can no longer ratify the treaty ‘just like that’. Reactions Alexander Pechtold, leader of the Liberal democratic party D66 which had …

Exit poll: Dutch voters against Ukraine deal
8 years, 11 months ago

Exit poll: Dutch voters against Ukraine deal

NL Times  

Exit polling in the Netherlands shows that a large proportion of Dutch voters have turned out to say against a trade agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine, but questions remain over the validity of the referendum vote. Voter turnout was limited during the course of the day, and exit polling agency Ipsos believes that turnout will hit 32 …

Few Dutch cast early ballots in Ukraine Referendum
8 years, 11 months ago

Few Dutch cast early ballots in Ukraine Referendum

NL Times  

Polling stations across the Netherlands are open for Dutch citizens to vote in the referendum over the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine today. Of the four largest cities in the Netherlands, The Hague has the highest turnout so far, 8.7 percent at 12:00 p.m. Utrecht reported a 7.5 percent turnout at 11:30 a.m. and Rotterdam 5.4 percent at …

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