Denmark will hold a referendum on EU defense amid Ukraine war

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Traditionally skeptical about European Union efforts to deepen cooperation, Danish voters on Wednesday will select whether or not to desert the nation’s resolution three a long time in the past to decide out of the bloc’s widespread protection coverage.

The Danish referendum comes as the newest instance of European international locations searching for nearer protection hyperlinks with allies in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It follows Sweden and Finland’s historic bids to hitch NATO — one thing to be taken up at a summit subsequent month.

Denmark becoming a member of the EU protection coverage would have a comparatively modest affect on Europe’s safety structure, significantly in comparison with Sweden and Finland becoming a member of NATO. However Christine Nissen, a researcher with the Danish Institute for Worldwide Research, mentioned each strikes are “a part of the identical story,” and would strengthen navy cooperation on a continent shocked by the conflict in Ukraine.

She mentioned the principle impact of abandoning the opt-out resolution can be that Danish officers might keep within the room when EU colleagues talk about protection subjects and Danish forces might participate within the bloc’s navy operations.

Denmark, a founding member of NATO, has stayed on the sidelines of EU efforts to construct a standard safety and protection coverage in parallel with the trans-Atlantic alliance. It was certainly one of 4 opt-out strikes that Danes insisted on earlier than adopting the EU’s Maastricht Treaty, which laid the muse for political and financial union.

The 1992 waiver means Denmark hasn’t participated within the EU’s discussions on protection coverage, its growth and acquisition of navy capabilities and its joint navy operations, similar to these in Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Danes additionally opted out of EU cooperation on justice and residential affairs, the widespread forex and citizenship. The opt-out resolution on citizenship, which mentioned European citizenship would not change nationwide citizenship, has since develop into irrelevant as different members later adopted the identical place. However the different provisions stay intact regardless of efforts by successive governments to overturn them.

In a 2000 referendum, Danish voters determined to remain exterior the eurozone, and 15 years later they voted to maintain the exemption on justice and residential affairs.

This time, nonetheless, Danes seem able to say goodbye to opting out of widespread protection.

Social Democratic Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen referred to as for the referendum on March 8, lower than two weeks after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. She referred to as on residents to vote “sure” to abolishing the exception, saying to take action “will strengthen our safety.”

“I’m voting in favor of abolishing the opt-out” resolution, mentioned Peter Jakobsen, a 61-year-old pharmacist in Copenhagen. “We should not stand exterior. We’re within the EU and we have to be concerned. We should make a distinction.”

However Sanne Michelsen, a 52-year-old shopper in Copenhagen, mentioned she did not see the purpose of all of the sudden becoming a member of the EU’s protection coverage after years on the skin.

“This can be a referendum about an opt-out that has by no means prompted us any downside,” she mentioned in her native Danish, earlier than turning to English so as to add. “If it ain’t damaged, do not repair it.’”

The “sure” facet has had a transparent lead in polls, with about 40% in favor of dropping the exemption and 30% towards. A couple of fourth of voters say they’re nonetheless undecided.

There may be widespread assist for dropping the protection opt-out resolution in Parliament. Solely three small events wish to preserve it, two on the best and one on the left.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see extra, go to https://www.npr.org.