On Wednesday, 6 April the Netherlands held a referendum on the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement. The referendum was the first to be called as a result of a petition. Under a new Dutch law, if a petition receives over 300,000 signatures the government must put the issue in question to a vote.

Background
The decision to hold the referendum was taken following a petition organised by right-wing satirical Dutch blog, GeenStijl. The petition received 427,939 signatures, exceeding the 300,000 required to trigger a vote. The results of the referendum are not legally binding, but most parties have indicated that they will respect the outcome.

The referendum concerned the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, which provisionally came into force on 1 January 2016 but needs to be ratified by all 28 EU Member States. While the Dutch Parliament has already voted to back the deal, the Netherlands is the only Member State yet to ratify the Agreement.

More broadly, the referendum was seen as a test of public opinion in the Netherlands towards the EU, with the organisers stating that the vote was essentially about pushing a broader anti-EU agenda.

Ukraine-EU Association Agreement
The aim of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, signed by the EU in March 2014 at the height of the Ukraine crisis, is to develop the political relationship between the EU and Ukraine and kickstart economic integration. It would provide support for Ukraine, both economically and politically. The Association Agreement would see the reduction of trade tariffs between the EU and Ukraine in a bid to improve trade relations and cut reliance on Russia.

Criticism of the Agreement stems from the opinion that the deal would build a larger platform from which Ukraine could launch an EU membership application. There is also a fear that EU intervention in Ukraine may lead to further disagreement with Russia.
The Agreement also includes monetary support for political reform and higher production standards in Ukraine. The establishment of a political and economic association between the two parties would allow Ukraine an opportunity to loosen ties with Russia.

Result and Reaction
The turnout in the referendum was 32.2%, just above the 30% required threshold. The electorate rejected the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, with 61% voting against it. While not legally binding, Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose government currently holds the rotating EU Presidency, stated that the result was “a convincing victory for the no-campaign. We will go forward step by step. We must now find a solution that is acceptable to all parties. In Europe, with Ukraine, with everyone.”

The result was a blow for Rutte, who supports the Agreement, and with elections looming in the Netherlands next year, it is imperative that a favourable outcome is reached. The European Commission has stated that the next step is for Dutch leaders to analyse the outcome of the vote and decide on the course of action; although it has affirmed that it remains strongly committed to the development of relations with Ukraine. The result will be of particular interest to those following the debate on the UK’s forthcoming referendum on EU membership.

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