Tob Bunk/GS-Alpha
I agree with the wider point, but it simply isn't reasonable to dismiss an 80% vote in favour by talking about non-voters or the reasons they voted. That's a European Commission approach to democracy.
However misguided, whatever the motives, an 80% yes vote is a sizeable mandate. Support might well be drifting away, and the union's position is exceptionally weak, but you can't do anything other than accept that such an overwhelming yes vote is indeed a strong mandate.