Spanish referendum: massive 'yes' for European Constitution

[Dreamer128]

20.02.2005 - 21:24 CET | By Richard Carter
Exit polls from Spain's referendum on the European Constitution have shown a massive win for the "yes" camp but a low turnout.

According to preliminary results, over three-quarters (78.5 percent) of the Spanish people voted in favour of the Treaty, with only 16.2 percent voting "no".

However, the turnout appeared to be disappointing. Socialist Party Spokesman Jose Blanco told reporters in Spain the participation level at 20.00 CET was 41.5 percent.

He reminded journalists that this was similar to the turnout in the European elections last summer.

"There is no uncertainty over the result", said Mr Blanco. "We hope that this significant result for Spain will be a positive result for Europe".

Casting his vote this morning, with 14 million Spaniards, Premier Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero said, "Today we are taking a decision of huge importance for the future of a United Europe. A very important for Spain, for its future and its well-being".

Spaniards were invited to answer the question: "do you approve the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe?"

The referendum is non-binding. The Spanish parliament still needs to ratify the Treaty".

The Spanish authorities made a huge effort to inform its citizens about the Constitution, with six million copies of the text made available and 20 million information leaflets distributed.

And the main two parties, the Socialist PSOE and the conservative PP, were in favour of the Treaty, along with the media.

Spain is the first country to put the Constitution to a vote.

Three countries - Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia - have already ratified the text via their parliaments.

(EUObserver)

[johnny]

I hear that if we the people say no, the government is gonna ignore the outcome of the referendum, because they don't want to be the one that spoils it for the entire club. They are very afraid there's gonna be a Dutch and British no against the European constitution, and they are seriously considering acting against the will of the people.

Not that that would be the first time though.

[Dreamer128]

Where did you hear that? All major parties, except the VVD, have anounced they will respect the outcome of the referendum. Although I don't worry too much about that. I don't think there is a single good reason to vote against it, so if the people do their homework, all will be well.

[ 02-21-2005, 07:27 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

[johnny]

I read it this morning on Versatel news, my startpage. The idea is from someone within PvdA. It's just a proposal of course, but there were a lot of politicians agreeing with the idea from what i've read. They are almost certain that one or two EU members will place a bomb under the whole setup, and Britain and the Netherlands are the two most likely to do so. There also was something mentioned that if it would be nations like the Czech republic and Poland, they would ignore the "no" altogether, since they are regarded as "not important enough" to have a valid voice, but if nations who practically were on the basis of founding the EU would drop out, they would be the laughingstock of Europe, and probably become outcasts in the process.

Just Google around a bit, i'm sure there's something you can find about. I don't give a rats ass about Europe and their constitution, as i'm much too busy playing KotOR 2 at the moment.

[ 02-21-2005, 07:37 AM: Message edited by: johnny ]

[Dreamer128]

I think it's old news. When the vote concerning the referendum reached the Senate (1st Chamber), everyone stressed it wasn't binding. Shortly after, all major political parties (including CDA, PvdA and D66) announced they would stick with the outcome. Personally, I think a referendum is a bad idea. The government should just send everyone copies of Kotor 2 and ratify the Constitution behind closed doors while everyone is busy playing.

[johnny]

Please let them add a walkthrough as well, i'm running around in circles on some godforsaken planet, and have absolutely no clue what to do first.

[Mr. Mopery]

From last week's Economist:

"The Spanish are cheerfully and uncomplicatedly pro-European. They associate the EU with the end of Francoist isolation and the arrival of lashings of cash from Brussels. So although in one recent poll 88% of Spaniards said they knew nothing or “very little” about the constitution, 56% also pronounced themselves in favour of it. The Spanish government has been trying to popularise the text by handing it out at football matches. The contestants on the Spanish version of “Big Brother”, a reality-TV programme, were even forced to explain bits of the constitution to each other. (Some see the sections on “delegated European regulations and framework laws” as a little too sensational for a mass audience.) Such exercises reflect the Spanish government's real fear: not that the constitution will be defeated, but that the turnout will be embarrassingly low."

Southern optimism. Tony Blair is going to have to sneak the constitution through Parliament if he wants it to pass.

[Dreamer128]

I think most Europeans are both ignorant and largely indifferent towards this Constitution. Few voters have the patience and interest in politics to read through a treaty of this size. That is why we give politicians a democratic mandate. To decide such things for the electorate. I think these referenda are definately a bad idea, as people will use it to punish (or reward) their respective governments, or ventilate their feelings towards the European Union or the Euro (as the Spanish did - they had no idea what the treaty was about, they're just pro-European).

[Dreamer128]

I guess we're next. I hope these snivelling politicians are planning to get off their *sses and make a strong statement.

Dutch referendum date announced
23.02.2005 - 17:45 CET | By Elitsa Vucheva
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The Netherlands will hold a referendum on the European Constitution on 1 June, it was announced on Wednesday (23 February).

The vote will be the first in the country's history and will be non-binding, with the Dutch Parliament having the final say.

Nevertheless, the political parties representing the majority in parliament have said they will respect the results if there is a high turnout.

The question Dutch voters will be invited to answer on 1 June will be: "Are you for or against the Netherlands agreeing to the treaty to establish a constitution for Europe?"

Negative sentiment increasing

The Netherlands is one of the founding members of the EU. However, recent Eurobarometer polls have shown it is one of the countries where negative EU sentiment is on the rise.

And a recent poll showed a majority in favour of the "no" campaign, with 29 percent in favour and 42 percent opposed.

Dutch politicians are less divided on the subject, as all the main political parties in the Netherlands support the Treaty.

Opponents include the leftist Socialist Party, two small Protestant parties, and the group of recently emerged populist politician Geert Wilders.

Nine other EU governments will hold a referendum on the Constitutional treaty, and 15 will ratify it by Parliamentary vote.

Spain's voters said a firm "yes" to the Constitution last Sunday (20 February), but the turnout was low (42.3 percent).

France and Luxembourg are due to hold referenda in the first half of 2005.

Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia have already ratified the Constitution via their national parliaments.

The Constitution must be ratified by all 25 member states to come into force, the deadline being the end of October 2006.

[ 02-24-2005, 05:46 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

[Mr. Mopery]

Originally posted by Dreamer128: The Netherlands is one of the founding members of the EU. However, recent Eurobarometer polls have shown it is one of the countries where negative EU sentiment is on the rise.

Although it's not exactly related, I've always really liked the image of the "Eurobarometer". It should be included in the weather report, I think.

"Today will be snowy and partly-cloudy. Euro-pressure is quite low and there's a chance of quixotic diplomacy in Italy, with flurries of self-importance and condescension in France and Germany."

Er...or so I imagine.