Dutch to have their say on Ukraine’s road to Europe

On 6 April 2016 the Netherlands will hold an advisory referendum on whether or not it should ratify the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. This is made possible by the new 'referendum law' which makes it possible for Dutch citizens to trigger a referendum on laws approved by their parliament. In 2015 a loose coalition of activist groups and think tanks collected enough signatures to trigger a referendum on the Association Agreement. But what motivates Dutch people to spend their free time campaigning against or in favour of this agreement?

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Dutch Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement referendum, 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/dutch-ukraine-european-union-association-agreement-referendum-2016/

ESO: Find all information in ESO on this topic http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=netherlands%20ukraine%20referendum%202016%20&searchOption=all

ESO: Background information: Dutch to hold stormy referendum on EU-Ukraine deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/dutch-to-hold-stormy-referendum-on-eu-ukraine-deal/

Deutsche Welle, 05.04.16: Netherlands: A referendum on EU politics? http://dw.com/p/1IPqy

Dutch News.nl, 05.04.16: [Opinion]: The Ukraine referendum is cynical, manipulative and one we should boycott http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2016/04/the-ukraine-referendum-is-cynical-manipulative-and-one-we-should-boycott/

EUObserver, 04.04.16: [Opinion]: Why the Dutch referendum on Ukraine is a joke https://euobserver.com/opinion/132908

Dutch News.nl, 06.04.16: Dutch vote in crucial EU referendum on Ukraine http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/04/88261-2/

EurActiv, 06.04.16: Dutch referendum on Ukraine treaty will test anti-EU sentiment http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/dutch-referendum-on-ukraine-treaty-will-test-anti-eu-sentiment/

EUObserver, 06.04.16: Dutch vote in uncertain Ukraine referendum https://euobserver.com/political/132942

Politico, 05.04.16: Dutch get second chance to snub EU http://www.politico.eu/article/dutch-get-second-chance-to-snub-eu-referendum-ukraine-russia-trade/

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2016: Ukraine referendum in the Netherlands http://www.eurotopics.net/en/156929/ukraine-referendum-in-the-netherlands

ECFR: Commentary, 05.04.16: Putin, poultry and politics: 5 remarkable things about the Dutch Ukraine referendum http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_putin_poultry_and_politics_5_remarkable_things_about_the_du6070

---