Dutch parliament rejects motion for EU referendum

The Dutch House of Representatives has rejected by majority a motion by opposition leader Geert Wilders for a referendum on the country’s European Union (EU) membership.

“I say this to everyone: the Dutch deserve a referendum as well,” Wilders stated while advocating his motion in parliament in The Hague on Tuesday. “The Dutch should also be able to rule in favour or against the departure of the Netherlands from the European Union and the restoration of our national sovereignty and independence,” Geert, leader of Party for Freedom (PVV) said.

Only 14 of the total of 150 MP’s supported the motion for a ‘Nexit’ referendum, the 12 members of Wilders anti-EU Party of Freedom PVV and two MP’s who had separated themselves from the PVV.