Netherlands politician calls for 'Nexit' referendum
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The proposal to “not exclude EU Treaty amendments in advance”, was passed by a majority of Dutch MPs on Wednesday. Announcing the parliamentary victory, MP Sjoerd Wiemer Sjoerdsma, who proposed the motion, tweeted: “Proposal accepted!
“The Netherlands will no longer stand in the way of fundamental reforms in Europe.
“Whether it concerns climate, migration, security or human rights: this is necessary.
“This open and realistic attitude suits the Netherlands.”
But the news sparked the outraged reaction of Nexit Denktank campaigners who pointed out Mr Sjoerdsma’s confusion between Europe and the EU.
They wrote: “Can someone first explain to these people the difference between the EU and Europe?
“Only 40 percent of the continent of Europe is in the EU and the four largest cities in Europe are NOT in the EU.
“They talk as if they represent the whole continent of Europe.”
Reacting to the legislation, some Dutch citizens also lashed out against Mr Sjoerdsma.
One person said: “Sad.
“We are handing over our own decision-making powers to a disorganised bunch of money-lenders and we will soon have nothing to say in our own country.”
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And another one: “We do NOT want an EU.
“The Netherlands must remain sovereign. What a drama this is!!”
Someone else said: “Without firing a shot, the Netherlands is at the mercy of the enemy.”
A more dramatic Dutch citizen added: “Thank you for helping us bring our country to the abyss. We will not forget you Sir.”
Others, however, defended the move.
One person said: “Just under 500 million people together have much more power than a few ‘loose’ countries that do their own thing.”
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But the Nexit campaigners hit back: “That argument has long since become obsolete.
“It turns out that the UK can do very well without it.
“What the Netherlands needs is a good trade agreement, not a political union in which we have to take countries like Cyprus and Romania into account.”
The Dutch Parliament also agreed to support the start of EU membership talks with Albania and thus the organisation of the first intergovernmental conference as soon as EU leaders decide.
The decision will be formally voted through the Dutch parliament today.
It followed Mark Rutte’s government’s positive report on Albania’s progress with EU accession reform and fulfilment of conditions set in March 2020 by the Council of the European Union.
The news was greeted by Prime Minister Edi Rama who said it confirmed his assessment that the Dutch had so far refused Albania on pure political grounds, due to the March 2021 general elections.
The start of talks requires the unanimous decision of all 27 EU member states. The Netherlands, whose government and parliament must both agree on EU enlargement issues, has so far blocked this phase of Albania’s progress on grounds of insufficient achievements.
The Dutch parliament has agreed with the government and European Commission assessment that Albania has met the necessary conditions for talks to start after the EU leaders summit on 24-25 June.
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