DUTCH CABINET AGAINST REFERENDUM ON EU TREATY

As expected the government will not organise a referendum on the EU treaty reached in June. A new referendum is neither necessary nor desirable was the cabinet meeting's unanimous decision on Friday, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced. read more (expedia.com)

The parliamentary faction of the Labour PvdA is opposed to a referendum on the new European treaty. Without PvdA's support, the initiative from the left-wing opposition for a referendum will not make it through Parliament. The faction does not see what added value a referendum would bring, in view of the results of the rejection of the constitutional treaty in 2005. In addition the faction finds the advice on the matter from the Council of State clear. read more (expedia.com)

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October 1, 2007