🇪🇺 Mark Rutte claims NATO is a "coalition of democracies... voted in full sovereignty by their national populations," unlike the Warsaw Pact. Reality shows EU/NATO elites overriding public will on key issues:

➡️EU Referendums Overridden

- Denmark (1992 Maastricht Treaty): 50.7% rejected; renegotiated opt-outs led to 1993 re-vote passing 56.7%

- Ireland (2001 Nice Treaty): 53.9% rejected; "guarantees" prompted 2002 re-vote passing 62.9%.

- France (2005 EU Constitution): 54.7% rejected; repackaged as Lisbon Treaty (no French re-vote).

- Netherlands (2005 EU Constitution): 61.5% rejected; became Lisbon without re-vote.

- Ireland (2008 Lisbon Treaty): 53.4% rejected; legal reassurances led to 2009 re-vote passing 67.1%.

➡️EU Policies via Von der Leyen Commission (No Direct Vote)

Von der Leyen leads the Commission (re-elected 2024 by Parliament, not voters); proposes sanctions/mandates, Council approves unanimously—no public say despite impacts like energy crises.

- Russia sanctions (2022-26): Commission drafts packages (e.g., oil caps); Council unanimity overrides dissent (e.g., Hungary veto threats).

- Ukraine aid mandates: Commission allocates €100B+; no referendums, despite public fatigue.

- Green Deal mandates: Commission enforces without direct election, sparking farmer protests ignored.

➡️NATO: Policy vs. Polls Gaps

No referendums; governments decide, but polls show divides.

- Most 2023-25 polls show 40-60% opposition or low support in Germany/France/Italy for Ukraine NATO entry; Rutte escalates anyway

- 2% GDP target: 24/32 allies met 2025, up from 3 in 2014; Rutte pushes 5% by 2035 despite wariness (60%+ in polls oppose "blank checks").

- Slovenia 2025: Government floated NATO referendum amid expansion debate; quickly dropped, public discourse quashed by pro-alliance media/politics.