The Dutch lower house of the parliament is voting on a bill on
Thursday (22 February) that would make it impossible for citizens to
demand a referendum on future EU treaties, as they did with the
EU-Ukraine association agreement.
The four coalition parties supporting Mark Rutte's third government are expected to support the bill, but it will be a narrow vote. If just two of the coalition MPs fail to show up, the repeal bill could be rejected.
Opposition parties are almost unanimous in their rejection of the government position - believing it takes away a democratic tool from citizens after it was only used once in practice.
Most opposition MPs even want citizens to be able to demand a referendum about the bill that would take away their right to demand a referendum – something which The Hague wants to prevent.
EU-Digest update: The vote ended in a victory for the Government
Read more: Dutch MPs vote on ending 'Ukraine-type' referendums
The four coalition parties supporting Mark Rutte's third government are expected to support the bill, but it will be a narrow vote. If just two of the coalition MPs fail to show up, the repeal bill could be rejected.
Opposition parties are almost unanimous in their rejection of the government position - believing it takes away a democratic tool from citizens after it was only used once in practice.
Most opposition MPs even want citizens to be able to demand a referendum about the bill that would take away their right to demand a referendum – something which The Hague wants to prevent.
EU-Digest update: The vote ended in a victory for the Government
Read more: Dutch MPs vote on ending 'Ukraine-type' referendums
