Ukraine referendum set for April 6, Dutch nationals only can vote

The Netherlands will hold an advisory referendum on a key treaty between the European Union and Ukraine on April 6, 2016, officials said on Thursday. Only Dutch nationals will be able to vote.

The decision to hold the vote in five months’ time ensures there is enough time for a proper public debate and will allow local councils to organise the voting process, the referendum council said.

The question on the referendum will be: ‘are you for or against the law approving the treaty of association between the European Union and Ukraine?’. Referendum questions must always start with ‘are you for or against’, news agency ANP says.

The campaign to hold a referendum was launched by shock blog Geenstijl, think-tank Forum voor Democratie and the Burgercomite EU association last month.

In 2014, the Dutch approved legislation to allow ‘advisory referendums’ on controversial topics, if supporters can gather 300,000 signatures. The Dutch parliament has already voted in favour of the treaty.