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Dutch parliament rejects motion for Nexit referendum

Xinhua, June 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Dutch House of Representatives (De Tweede Kamer) on Tuesday rejected by majority a motion by PVV leader Geert Wilders for a referendum on the Dutch European Union membership.

"I say this to everyone: the Dutch deserve a referendum as well," Wilders stated while advocating his motion in the Dutch parliament in The Hague. "The Dutch should also be able to rule in favor or against the departure of the Netherlands from the European Union and the restoration of our national sovereignty and independence."

Only 14 of the total of 150 MP's supported the motion for a Nexit referendum, the 12 members of Wilders anti-EU Party of Freedom PVV and two MP's who had separated themselves from the PVV.

A Dutch EU referendum would be possible with the backing of a majority of the parliament or if the prime minister would issue a referendum. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has already stated that he is against a referendum in general and also against the Netherlands leaving the EU.

"That would have major consequences for the Netherlands, our stability and the recovery of our prosperity," Rutte reacted on the outcome of the Brexit referendum, with Britain leaving the EU. "I am absolutely against it. It would not be in the Dutch interest."

According to a poll by Dutch news show EenVandaag on Saturday 54 percent of the Dutch people would like to have a referendum on whether the Netherlands should stay part of the European Union. The same survey showed there would be no majority for a Nexit, with 48 voting to leave the EU.

According to Dutch law, citizens of the Netherlands can only apply for an advisory referendum and such a referendum can only deal with laws or treaties already adopted but not entered into force yet. This was the case in April this year when a majority of the Dutch voted against the Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement.

Wilders won't give up on his Nexit message. "My proposal for a Nexit referendum was rejected today," he stated. "But the Dutch get a second chance on March 15, 2017, the day of our next general elections." Enditem