While the official result will be published on 12 April 2016, it has become clear already that the non-binding referendum in the Netherlands on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement has resulted in a victory for the "no" camp. Based on 99,8% of the votes counted, 38,1% of those who went to the ballot box voted in favour of the agreement, while 61,1% voted against. The turnout was very low, as only 32,2% of those allowed to vote, actually went to the polls. Nonetheless, a minimum threshold of 30% was reached for the referendum to be valid. The government is now expected to take the vote ''into account''. 

The campaign was criticized as a lot of false information was provided in the campaign on what the Association Agreement actually meant as well as general information on Ukraine. Negative frames were provided as well in the campaign, as some suggested Ukraine was to blame for the MH17 airplane disaster. The campaign was often framed as a campaign on whether you are in favour of the EU or not. The organizers of the referendum stated earlier they did not care about Ukraine, but used the referendum for instrumental reasons to further create discontent about the EU, and pushing the Netherlands towards a ''Nexit'' - a departure of the Netherlands from the EU. A lot of people also decided to stay at home as they either were against referendums or against this particular referendum as a lot of likewise trade and association agreements have been signed before with other countries.

The vote is awkward for the current Dutch government, as they currently hold the rotating presidency of the EU, and will have to discuss the outcome of the referendum with other EU member states, and its implications, despite the fact it is non-binding. Prime Minister Rutte has stated already the Dutch government would not be able to ''just'' ratify the agreement.

Earlier in 2005, the Dutch voted negatively as well in an EU referendum, which was held on the European constitution at the time. In the end they brought down the constitution together with France that also voted negatively. It is unclear what the implications will be of this referendum, also because a majority of the agreement is about trade and falls under the exclusive competences of the EU. It has however clear it will have political implications.

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For earlier remarks by other organizers on their motivations for the referedum click here and here. (Dutch)

For an overview of the organizers, their motivations, as well as the different stances of political parties in the Netherlands on the AA, click here. (English)