Dutch far right legislators celebrate massive "no" to EU constitution

Dutch far right legislators who campaigned vigorously for a "no" vote in the EU constitution referendum, warning of a loss of Dutch identity and an influx of immigrants, celebrated Wednesday after voters overwhelming rejected the treaty.

"I had not expected this massive turnout. I am proud of the Dutch people," populist Geert Wilders, who defected from the Liberals to form his eponymous far-right party with one seat in parliament, told NOS television.

"The cabinet should step down. The vote shows the immense gap between society and politics," he added.

"Voters are to be commended that they did not yield to the pressure the government heaped on them to vote 'yes'," said Mat Herben, a spokesman for the rightwing List Pim Fortuyn (LPF) with eight of the 150 seats in parliament.

The LPF is named after the slain politician who was the first to tap into the anti-immigrant mood in the country in the 2002 general elections.