Nieuws van de afdeling

19 January 2005

SP wants foreign observers for constitution referendum

The SP has strongly criticised the unequal division of resources allocated to the “yes” and “no” campaigns in the coming referendum on the European constitution. SP Senator Ronald van Raak has no expectation of an honest campaign for the vote, which is set to take place this spring, and has demanded the presence of international observers. Tonight in the Eerste Kamer (First Chamber) as the Dutch Senate is known, he will ask minister De Graaf if he agrees that the possibility of such a presence should be looked into.

12 January 2005

EU Council President Junker invited to visit Dutch ‘coffeeshops’ and ‘escort’ services

Today in the European Parliament in Strasbourg the main topic of discussion was the priorities of the newly-installed Luxembourg EU Presidency. Prominent on the agenda was the controversial Bolkestein Directive. SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard invited President of the Council Mr Junker to take “a tour around Dutch service providers”, who, she assured him, would take full advantage of the directive – and her criticisms did not fall on stony ground.

12 January 2005

SP votes against European constitution

Today in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Members voted on the proposed European constitution. The SP voted against the proposal. According to SP Euro-MP Erik Meijer, this constitution would lead to the further militarisation of Europe, the undermining of social- and environmental standards, and the dismantling of public services. He announced that the next few months in the Netherlands would see a campaign for the rejection of this constitution in the referendum scheduled for later in the year.

12 January 2005

EU must study Tsunami danger

SP Euro-MP Erik Meijer has asked the European Commission to launch a study into the dangers posed by a possible Tsunami in the Atlantic Ocean: “A volcanic eruption on the Canary Island La Palma could provoke a mega-tsunami even more disastrous than that which struck Asia. Life in large parts of America and Europe could be swept away by such a cataclysmic event.” The Netherlands, much of which is only just above, or even actually below, sea level, would be particularly at risk, and Mr Meijer would like to know what plans, if any, the Commission has to deal with this eventuality.

11 January 2005

Call for fair referendums on the EU Constitution

Letter to the Editor of The Times, by Thomas Rupp (director European No Campaign), Jan Marijnissen and Harry van Bommel (Dutch MPs for the Socialist Party) and people from 14 other countries

11 January 2005

Eurosceptics unite across continent to fight constitution

OPPONENTS of the European constitution across the continent are joining forces to begin a pan-European No campaign, marking the occasion with a letter in The Times and other European newspapers.

International