No to Nexit: Dutch most likely to vote to stay in the EU

The Dutch are among the least likely of all European nationals to support their country withdrawing from the EU, according to the spring Eurobarometer report, carried out on behalf of the European parliament.

The report shows that 86% of the Dutch would vote in favour of remaining in the EU if there was a referendum tomorrow and just 8% would vote for a Nexit. Average support for the EU as a whole is 68%, with 14% backing withdrawal and 18% undecided.

The research was carried out in March, three months ahead of the May 23 European elections and before it became apparent that Brexit had again been postponed.

Among the 16 parties competing for seats in the Netherlands are two parties which back a Nexit – Forum voor Democratie and the PVV.

Some 72% of people polled in the Netherlands said they might or would be likely to vote in the European elections, although turnout is usually between 30% and 40%.

The most important issues for Dutch voters were climate change (73%), followed by the functioning of the EU and the protection of human rights and democracy. Top of the concerns in the EU as a whole were economic growth, youth unemployment and migration.

Despite the overall support for the EU, a ‘feeling of uncertainty’ has evolved and over one in four Europeans think that the EU is ‘neither a good thing nor a bad thing’.