99,8 percent of all votes counted:

61,6 percent no, 38,4 percent yes.

Turnout higher than previously expected: 62,8 percent.

23:38

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Results from the big cities

As the capital is about the one remaining city in the country without voting computers, Amsterdam's results will probably be last.

View the rest of the results here.

22:09

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Rouvoet rebuts Barosso

EC President Barroso made his familiar point again, about how nine countries have ratified the constitution already.

André Rouvoet of the ChristenUnie just pointed out the fallacy in this argument: only three of those countries have put the constitution to a vote. And two of them rejected it.

Two countries that are, by the way, founding members of the EU.

21:58

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Balkenende reacts

Very disappointed, positive that there was a high turnout, yadayadayadayada, RATIFICATION PROCESS SHOULD GO AHEAD IN OTHER COUNTRIES...

Jeez, this guy never learns.

I really don't like Geert Wilders, but he was right in his response: 'Balkenende is a sore loser.'

21:35

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New elections, please

If 85 percent of Parliament wants to support a constitution that 63 percent of the constituency rejects, it seems obvious that our representatives in the Second Chamber (our Lower House/House of Representatives) no longer represent us.

Never mind that any government led by someone who tied his own image to the result of this plebiscite should also step down, if only out of shame.

Update 21.19: Even Dutch PBS asked this very same question, about a second ago!

Update 21.21: Of course, considering the huge number of unions, environmental and consumer organizations that supported the constitution, it might be a good idea if they indulged in some soul searching as well. These organizations form what is known in the Netherlands as the 'societal midfield' (maatschappelijk middenveld) and are supposed to be the lobby groups of various interests in Dutch society. But rather than speaking his master's voice, they seem to have become just as detached from their members as many politicians have from the voters.

21:12

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NO: 63 percent!

A massacre. According to the first exit poll, 63 percent of the Dutch voted no, and therefore, only 37 percent voted yes. The turnout was very high at 62 percent. Never before have people turned out in such high numbers to vote in a European election. It's quite ironic that the first time they choose to do so is when they have a chance to voice their concerns.

Thanks to all of you who voted today.

20:59

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Democracy is not a spectator sport

Go vote today, if you are physically able. It's your duty. It's not much to ask compared to what is asked of American and British boys in Iraq and Afghanistan, or of aid troops in the tsunami affected ares. You don't need to wage war or get your hands dirty. There's no risk of any bodily harm.

Your country demands of you to vote. And it has every right to do so, for you are your country. Thus, you owe it to yourself, and to those with whom you share this fine nation, to show up at the ballot box (well, voting computer).

An American gentleman sent me an email yesterday night. He spoke of Dutch patriots. That made me pause for a moment. The Dutch don't like words such as patriots. World War II has made us equate the love of our nation and pride in our values with the exact opposite: the hatred of other nations and the despising of other values. Elements that characterized fascist Germany.

That's a shame. For to love the Netherlands means nothing more, and nothing less, than to love the ideas upon which this country is built. Common sense. Our love of being stubborn, and those that are. Freedom of speech, even of being offensive. It is not an endorsement of fascism, but a celebration of diversity and community amongst individuals.

Be a Dutch patriot. Go vote. No more can be asked of you, no less can be sufficient.

'The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.'
(Thomas Paine)

9:31

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