At 8 pm, the polling stations in Denmark closed. And everything indicates a significant majority for Denmark to step out of the so-called defense reservation. This means that Denmark will be part of the EU’s military cooperation. And Danish soldiers can be sent out in EU-led operations. The first poll shows a majority of 69.1 percent for, and 30.9 percent against, according to Danmarks Radio. Danish TV 2 has also published a survey. It shows 67.4 percent to get out of the defense reservation. – The biggest yes that has ever been said in a Danish referendum for something that has to do with the EU, if this result holds. This is how DR’s political commentator Jens Ringberg describes the Danish referendum. The defense reservation Until now, Denmark has had a special arrangement with the EU. The country will not contribute to EU military operations, either with money, materiel or soldiers. The defense reservation came about after a referendum in Denmark in 1993. But after almost 30 years outside the EU’s military cooperation, Denmark is changing course. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, a new security situation arose in Europe. Thus, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was able to hold a referendum in Denmark. 10 out of 13 parties in the Folketing recommended that the Danes say “yes” to abolishing the defense reservation. Today, the Danish people gave the majority in the Folketing the right. The pros and cons However, this does not mean that it was a sure victory for the yes parties. Traditionally, Danes have been skeptical of the EU. Previously, attempts have been made to get Denmark into both euro and police cooperation in the EU. Both times the people have clearly said “no”. INSPECTION: In the summer of 1999, Queen Margrethe of Denmark visited Danish soldiers who were going to the NATO operation in Bosnia. Five years later, the EU took over the operation, and then the Danes had to return home. Photo: Erik Johansen The Danish People’s Party has perhaps been the clearest “no to the EU” party. Among other things, they have claimed that military cooperation will mean that the EU will have control over Danish soldiers. Supporters of defense cooperation with the EU, on the other hand, believe this is intimidation propaganda. No soldiers will be sent to EU operations without the approval of the Folketing, they point out. A typical task for an EU-led force would be to enter Ukraine to conduct peacekeeping work. But if the Danes are to participate in a separate “EU army”, then it must be approved in a new referendum, according to the yes side.
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Against Danish yes to EU defense cooperation – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
