Apart from economic determinants (industry-dependency), there seems to
be a very strong religious influence too. There is an almost perfect
overlap with the Dutch bible-belt (cfr. map attached, showing votes for
the SGP -Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij) 8 out of ten top-10 no votes
are notorious bible belt towns. The possible integration of Turkey and
the non-mentioning of a European christian tradition, as well as a
possible EU-superstate -threatening the principle of cuius regio, eius
religio as stated at the treaty of Augsburg (1555) and Westphalia
(1648)- are mentioned by the SGP as reasons to vote no.
yours
Maarten
Justus Uitermark wrote:
>Dear all,
>
>for those of you interested in the Dutch 'no', here is a nice map: http://www.nu.nl/news/535080/11/Nederland_wil_pas_op_de_plaats_in_Europese_Unie.html
>
>It shows that the strongest resentment against the constitution comes from regions that traditionally are dependent on industrial employment (especially the Southern part of the Randstad) and that have a strong socialist heritage (Groningen in the North East).
>
>Regions that have a lot of high-tech services and university students and graduates have a higher share of yes voters (Brabant, Amsterdam, Utrecht and the lonely blue spot in the North that represents the student city of Groningen). The top-10 of yes voting municipalities are known as elite towns and villages, the rich suburbs of the Randstad cities (Wassenaar, Bloemendaal, etc).
>
>The no-vote is generally considered as a declaration of discontent against the established political parties in The Hague and the "Eurocrats" who are accused of turning the Netherlands into a province of a European super state. The socialist party (which has 8 out of 150 seats in the Second Chamber) was the largest and most vocal critic of the constitution. Geert Wilders, who is building a party around his idea that "the vagaries of Islam" need to be stopped, was also with some success campaigning against the constitution.
>
>best wishes
>Justus
>
>
>
>
|