By Peggy Corlin - 1st June 2006
Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende has said he would prefer to avoid another constitution referendum in the Netherlands.
One year on from the hostile Dutch referendum result, Balkenende told Dutch MPs on Wednesday that he would prefer any ratification of how the EU is organised to be ratified by the Dutch parliament, rather than by a referendum.
“Referendums are risky affairs. If you can avoid one that would be my preference” Balkenende told MPs.
“I do not think the treaty of Nice is enough so we have to talk about changes” the prime minister also told journalists.
“The question will be, is it the responsibility of the parliament to decide, or do we have to organise another referendum”.
Balkenende, who supports the need for a new text to overcome EU institutional loopholes, may however find himself at odds with Dutch public opinion.
According to a recent poll, 68 per cent in the Netherlands are still opposed to an EU constitution, more than the 61.6 per cent that said “no” in last year’s referendum.
The survey, commissioned by the Dutch government ahead of the June EU summit, also reveals that Dutch citizens are concerned over EU integration moving too quickly and have worries over further EU enlargement.
While Balkenende still rules out the idea of a referendum, the poll also shows that 83 per cent of Dutch would want to vote again if a new institutional arrangement was found.
Since last year’s constitutional failure, the Dutch government has taken a more sceptical, defensive position towards the EU.
Last January, Balkenende received a standing ovation at the Dutch parliament after managing to save a €1bn rebate on the Hague’s contribution to the EU’ budget coffers.
The Dutch foreign ministry has even set up a ‘monitoring committee’ to warn the government about unwanted EU legislation.
EU leaders are expected at the June summit to postpone the end of the period of reflection to mid-2007 until after planned Dutch and French elections.
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