Two of the groups behind April’s referendum on the EU treaty with Ukraine have dropped their applications for government subsidies to fight the campaign.

Shockblog GeenStijl and campaign group GeenPeil say they have withdrawn their applications for cash because of the ‘legal pedantry’.

‘The subsidies were meant for well-meaning campaign initiatives but the legal pedantry is driving applicants to desperation,’ GeenStijl’s Bart Nijman said.

Dance

‘There is way too little time left for campaigning. We will no longer dance to the commission’s tune and have withdrawn our request.’

Some 180 applications for subsidies have been made. The government has set aside €2m to fund both pro and anti campaigns.

GeenStijl has so far raised €50,000 through crowdfunding. The referendum takes place on April 6.