A non-binding referendum is held today in Holland. The Dutch are asked to vote their opinion on the agreement between EU and Ukraine for the gradual inclusion of the later into the former. Beyond that, the referendum is seen as a first opportunity to gauge the general displeasure of the Dutch towards the EU
The result of the referendum is not binding to the government, the biggest party of the government coalition, Prime Minister Rutte's VVD, insists that it will co sign the agreement whatever the result. The junior member of the coalition holds the opposite position which asks for the government to act according to the referendum.
Holland is the last member state of the EU which has not signed the agreement regarding Ukraine. In order for the referendum to be valid, more than 30% of the Dutch voters must participate, something which is not certain. The Maurice de Hond institute estimated that the participation will be in the range of 25%-30%.
A possible negative vote will have a greater impact than the future of the EU-Ukraine development. It will be seen as a relatively strong show of euro-skepticism only three months before the British referendum regarding the participation of England to the EU. It is also bound to affect the internal Ukrainian politics and conflicts.
Prime minister Rutte will have to face a discomforting no which will not add anything to his already declining popularity.
The referendum has escalated through the work of a very popular satirical blog, the Geenstijl. The blog is known for its politically incorrect content and aggressive political criticism. The blog, whose name means “without style” started the GeenPeil (without level) campaign which led to the referendum. The blog explained that: This was the best subject that we could find concerning the EU.”