The Dutch government was down but not out on Thursday after a resounding "No" vote on the new European constitution. European Affairs Minister Atzo Nicolai, who coordinated the government's "Yes" campaign, said no one in the government had any plans to step down after 61.6 percent voted "No" in the country's first national referendum. The biggest Dutch parties all campaigned for a "Yes" vote in the referendum, ranging from Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende's Christian Democrats and their VVD liberal partners on the right to the opposition Labour and Greens on the left. The French "No" vote on Sunday forced the prime minister to resign and prompted a government reshuffle, but Balkenende has ruled out quitting, saying parliament must also be held accountable for the vote which it called against his wishes, according to a report of Reuters.
