Dutch cheer the Irish no vote

Monday 16 June 2008

A small majority of the Dutch people want a referendum on the new EU treaty, rejected by Ireland last week, according to a poll held by Maurice de Hond.

Of the 1,200 people questioned, 56% want a say on whether the treaty should be ratified.

The poll shows that 46% of respondents would vote in favour of the treaty, down from 55% the last time the question was asked in 2007.

Yesterday's Sunday Times said Dutch campaigners against the treaty were jubilant and quoted Socialist MP Harry van Bommel as saying Ireland's no vote on Friday had left the treaty 'as dead as a doornail'.

On Sunday the Telegraaf's website said more than 96% of its respondents applauded Ireland's courage.

According to De Hond's poll, 30% of the Dutch think Ireland voted no because most EU politicians have no idea what people want, and 21% because the Irish have no faith in the EU.

Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende said on Friday that the Netherlands would continue the ratification process.

© DutchNews.nl

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