Euro-scepticism grows in the Netherlands, poll shows

The Dutch are far more sceptical about the European Union in the run-up to 4 June's EU parliamentary elections than they were before the EU polls of 1994 and 2004. The increased Euro-scepticism emerges from a survey by TNS NIPO carried out for the University of Amsterdam's Centre for Politics and Communication.

The market research group questioned about 1,500 people in the Netherlands about European integration and the upcoming poll. Over 60 percent of those interviewed believe EU institutions are a waste of public money. EU enlargement proved especially unpopular, with about two-thirds of those questioned rejecting the idea of any more countries being admitted to the union.

In June 2005 Dutch voters followed the French in rejecting the proposed European Constitution in a national referendum. The opposition Socialist Party was prominent in the campaign for a 'no' vote. The undercurrent of Euro-scepticism is reflected in recent polls on national politics in the Netherlands. According to the latest survey by one research bureau, Peil.nl, at present more than 20 percent of the electorate say they would vote for the right-wing Party for Freedom in a general election. The party led by populist rightwing politician Geert Wilders, takes and extremely Euro-sceptical stance, and is be fielding candidates for the first time in June's EU elections.