7:53am UK, Thursday June 02, 2005

European leaders are today assessing the future of the EU constitution after Dutch voters gave it a resounding 'No'.

Some 62% of voters said they were opposed to the treaty with 38% in support.

180 dutch constitution no vote people 01/6/05

No supporters celebrate

The Netherlands' Prime Minister said he was "disappointed" by the vote but would respect the result.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the problem was not insurmountable, but British Foreign Secretary said it "raised profound questions about the EU's future".

The emphatic no vote is even more decisive than that of the French and may signal the end of the treaty, but PM Jan Peter Balkenende said ratification in other nations must go ahead.

Some 62% of voters turned out for polling, much more than expected and double the amount the government said was needed for it to honour the vote.

The initial result surpasses even polls out this week which had said The Netherlands would reject the constitution by 60%.

Rejection by the Dutch is seen as a sign of their anger at feeling ignored by the political system over the EU and unease over immigration.

The result means that two of the EU's most ardent supporters have now refused to sign up to the treaty.

All 25 members of the EU have to ratify the treaty if it is to become reality.

A "no" vote will add pressure on leaders to reconsider the direction of European integration when they gather for a summit in Brussels in two weeks.

With Britain taking on the EU presidency from July 1, it will fall to Tony Blair to pick up the pieces.

Ratification by November 2006 remains an objective of all member states with the aim of bringing the treaty into force in 2007.