The Russia-Ukraine war: Denmark voted “yes” to join the defense policy of the European Union

The vast majority of Danes, almost 67%voted Wednesday in favor of integration into the EU defense policy, after 30 years of exception, according to the control of 97% of the votes.

“Denmark sent an important signal this evening. To our allies in Europe and NATO and to (President Vladimir) Putin, “Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told supporters.

“We show that when Putin invades a free country and threatens stability in Europe, we unite“, He added.

EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel greeted a “historic” vote in Denmark on Wednesday.

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“I greet the strong message of commitment to our common security sent by the Danish people, “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet.

I am “convinced that Denmark and the EU will benefit from this decision“, He added.

“The Danish people have made a historic choice”, said for his part the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

“Everything indicates that after thirty years the Danes have decided today” change position in defense and we must “work more closely with Europe”, said the leader of the opposition conservative party, Soren Pape, after the publication of the first seats at the polls.

Denmark it remained out of European defense policy for 30 yearss, and this change is a new consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He was the favorite among the 4.3 million Danes called to the polls.

“History is changing and it affects us here in Denmark, and of course we have to react,” Mads Adam, a 24-year-old political science student, told AFP.

“I think this type of voting is even more important today. In wartime, it is clear that it is important to say this whether or not you want to be part of this kind of community, ”says Molly Stensgaard, a 55-year-old screenwriter.

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“I vote yes with all my heart”announced the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, when he cast his vote in the city of Vaerlose, where he lives, on the outskirts of Copenhagen.

“Although Denmark is a fantastic country, the best country in the world in my opinion, we are still a small country, too small to be alone in a very, very uncertain world,” he added.

Denmark, member since 1973 of the European Union, It was one of the first Eurosceptic countries to reject the Maastricht Treaty, in 1992, with 50.7% of the vote.

To overcome the blockade that threatened the entry into force of the founding treaty across the EU, the country has obtained several exceptionsknown as “opt out” in European parlance, and finally said yes in a new vote the following year.

Since then, Denmark has remained out of the euro (rejected in a referendum in 2000) but also out of the EU’s defense, justice and home affairs policy, rejected again in a referendum in 2015.

By virtue of this last exception, the Scandinavian country, a founding member of NATO, was unable to participate in any EU military mission.

The defense policy of the 27 has gained momentum in recent years, although many countries continue to reject the idea of ​​a European army.

Two weeks after the invasion of Ukraine, the Danish Prime Minister announced an agreement with a majority of parties in Parliament to end the exception to a referendum, as well as major military investments exceed the 2% of GDP threshold What does NATO ask for?

Eleven out of 14 parties asked for a yes, which represents more than three-quarters of the seats in Parliament.

The two far-right Eurosceptic formations, the Danish People’s Party (DF) and the New Conservatives, as well as the formation of the radical left Unity List, They campaigned for no.

With the historic candidacy of Sweden and Finland to the Atlantic alliance and the Danish referendum, the three Nordic countries could soon combine their participation in European defense and NATO.

Source: AFP and AP

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