The Netherlands is heading towards a contentious European referendum after an activist website collected enough signatures to trigger a non-binding plebiscite on the EU’s landmark integration pact with Ukraine.
While it is unclear what effect, if any, the vote will have on Dutch government policy, the process further complicates EU policy on Ukraine, casting doubt over a flagship EU deal that outraged Moscow and became one of the underlying causes of a war which has raged since 2014.
The approximately 450,000 signatures amassed by GeenStijl, a satirical news website, far exceeds the 300,000 needed under law to trigger a referendum. It poses a vexing political problem for the largely pro-EU Dutch government, which has already ratified the Ukraine pact.
The website said it was the first to bring a successful application to the electoral council, putting Holland on course to a “historic referendum”. “You did it, out of love for democracy in the Netherlands and Europe, and to send a signal to The Hague and Brussels,” the website told readers on Sunday.
Once signatures are verified by authorities, a referendum must be held within six months. It is unclear what effect if any it would have on the entry into force of a free-trade pact with Ukraine, which in spite of complaints from Russia is scheduled for the beginning of 2016.
Under Dutch law the referendum triggered would only be “advisory” in nature for the government. In the event of a turnout of more than 30 per cent and a majority voting against the deal, the Dutch government is obliged to revisit its legislation ratifying the Ukraine accord.
While welcoming the exercise in direct democracy, mainstream Dutch parties including the Labour party, which is in the ruling coalition, all reiterated their support for the Ukraine accord, showing it may be hard to force a policy U-turn.
Even so EU officials are worried the referendum could have unpredictable political results if the vote is impossible to ignore.