ANNOUNCEMENT BALKENENDE ON REFERENDUM
After the polls closed tonight, the Dutch prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, offered his views on the results of the referendum on the European Constitution: 'I'm disappointed, of course, and so are many other people.'
'The government, along with many political parties and civil society, campaigned for a "yes". So, of course, we arent happy about this result.' The provisional results show that approximately 62 percent of Dutch voters rejected the proposed constitution. The turnout was about 63 percent.
Mr Balkenende said that Dutch voters have sent a clear signal, which cannot be misunderstood. 'But there is also good news, like the high turnout and the energetic debate that has emerged all over Europe. Despite the outcome, I am happy with those positive effects.' The prime minister added that it should also be clear that the Dutch government has complete respect for this outcome.
The referendum was an initiative of the Dutch House of Representatives. Its purpose was to advise the House about what position to take on the proposed European Constitution. Therefore, Mr Balkenende said, it is now primarily up the House to decide what happens next, and its members will meet tomorrow to debate that issue.
As for the bigger European picture, the prime minister said that the agreement made in Brussels was that all twenty-five member states would consult their parliaments about the Constitutional Treaty: 'The Dutch government believes this ratification process should now continue as planned in other countries. At the end of the process, it will be important for us to see how each country has responded to the treaty.'
He added that the Dutch people voted against the proposed constitution, not against European cooperation. 'The Netherlands, as one of the founding fathers of the Union, will remain a constructive partner within Europe for taking on the problems that matter to all of us', Mr Balkenende said. 'I will tell my fellow European leaders that they must do justice to the Dutch "no". Because we understand the Dutch voters' concerns. About losing sovereignty. About the rapid pace of change, in which the public doesnt feel involved. And about our financial contribution. The European Union must take account of these issues.'
The prime minister closed his press conference with the remark that, in recent years and for the Netherlands, Europe has too often been more a matter for politicians than for the public. 'That has to change', he said. 'In the period ahead, we must put all our effort into getting the public more involved in the future of Europe. This government will devote its energies to that goal.'
Source:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release
Holanda ha rechazado la Constitución Europea
 Los primeros resultados oficiales, divulgados por la agencia oficial ANP, dan un 61,6% por el "NO" (''tegen'', "en contra") frente a un 38,4% por el "SÍ" (''voor'', "a favor"), con una participación del 62,8% de los ciudadanos habilitados, cifra que supera las previsiones más optimistas. Horas antes, la televisora local NOS divulgó unas primeras encuestas "a boca de urna", que daban al "NO" un 63% contra un 37% para el "SÍ".

De esta manera, los holandeses han seguido el camino de Francia en su rechazo a la Constitución Europea. Aunque el referendum es de carácter consultivo, el gobierno y el parlamento han afirmado desde antes de abrirse las urnas que acatarán la decisión del pueblo.

Se cree que entre los motivos para el rechazo a la carta magna comunitaria se encuentra la preocupación por la inclusión de Turquía en la UE, la posible pérdida de la identidad nacional y cierto descontento tanto con la Unión Europea como con el gobierno del primer ministro Jan Peter Balkenende, quien, decepcionado por el resultado, afirmó que de todos modos respetará la decisión: ''"Los votantes han dado una clara señal que no puede ser malinterpetada... debemos hacer todo lo que esté en nuestro alcance para involucrar a los ciudadanos en la Europa del futuro, y nuestro gabinete empezará a trabajar justamente en ello"''.