Latest blog articles

  • Results of complex referenda irreversible?

    After the Ukraine referendum in the Netherlands and the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom, have proved that it is difficult to organise a referendum on multi-faceted questions and interpret the results. In both cases, voters came to the polls for a wide variety of reasons... This blog is only...

    Referendum
  • Supremacy or Parliament?

    The difficult thing about the Brexit referendum and the events that followed in the United Kingdom is that the instrument of a referendum, in all its simplicty, may have undemocratic consequences... This blog is only available in Dutch. 

     

    Brexit_Europe_Referendum
  • Far from calm waters

    They say that one cannot have one’s cake and eat it – a rather well-known adage which the proponents of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union were determined to disprove. This article is only available in Dutch.

    Brexit_EU
  • What next?

    What is the meaning of 'as soon as possible'? That question is now topical on the Ukraine referendum. This article is only available in Dutch.

    Referendum
  • After the first consultative referendum

    It didn't run down quietly! On the contrary. After all the buzz about the consultative referendum it was exciting if it was possible to reach the legal threshold at 30% of the votes. They just succeeded with 32%. This article is only available in Dutch.

    raadgevend referendum
  • What if the Dutch vote 'no' at 6 April?

    What happens if the Netherlands rejects the EU-Ukraine association agreement? If they reach the participation quorum of 30%, it is up to the government to present a legislative proposal to the States-General by which the special legislation will be withdrawn. This article is only available in Dutch...

    ukraine
  • Brexit or exit equal treatment?

    No one will have failed to notice the United Kingdom's referendum on membership of the EU. To avoid a British exit, an agreement   has been reached... This blog is only available in Dutch.

    Brexit of exit gelijke behandeling?
  • Politicians are quick to take offence

    There was great anger and protest among Dutch politicians after a nuanced interview with Juncker in NRC Handelsblad van January 9th, 2016, about the referendum on the EU-Ukraine association agreement. The general opinion was: how does Juncker have the courage to participate in the Dutch discussion...

    Juncker
  • The tax plan

    It has just been accepted by the Dutch Second Chamber, but that does not mean it will make it past the First. That's the status of the tax plan right now. And indeed... This blog is only available in Dutch.

    Het belastingplan
  • Could I please get a fiat for the price of my Frappuccino?

    Today the European Commission released its first set of decisions on corporate tax rulings, which it has investigated for over a year. Starbucks Manufacturing EMEA and Fiat Finance and Trade were the first test cases where final decisions have been issued.

    Could I please get a fiat for the price of my Frappuccino?