Holland in the news
June 1st, 2005 YvoWell tonight Holland was in the news a lot. The reason being is that yesterday they voted for the ratification on the European Union constitution. However the EU hasn’t been good to Holland the last few years (even though it was a founding member) as the alliance and union has become to big and Holland feels that they have lost their voice in the middle of it.
Holland was the second country to reject the constitution. France being the first country. However Holland delivered the flying blow the EU constitution. Even though it required all member countries to say yes, 2 no’s is just an automatic death. The final percentage was 63% and unlike the US where it seems young adults (18 - 24) don’t give a damn about politics, there was a 70% turn out among the same age group in Holland. There was a 62% overall (among all age groups) turnout for voting, showing that the country really cared about this.
As a dutch citizen, and a citizen of the european union, I am glad that they voted no. I am very happy for the one currency (even though it has hurt the dutch economy instead of improving it) I think it should stop there right now. Trade has improved among the countries and so has traveling but I think unionization of Europe should stop. However I think they have made amazing process. Considering 60 years ago there was a huge war going on and Europe has been at constant bickering with each other since the Roman empire up until the 1940s… finally it is quiet. If anything it should show everyone that differences can be put aside if we all work together.
One of the MANY American news outlets covering this story:
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/06/02/dutch.poll/