The referendum in Denmark to determine whether or not to eliminate the nation’s opt-out from the EU’s defence coverage is the most recent instance of European international locations in search of nearer defence hyperlinks with allies in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The referendum in Denmark to determine whether or not to eliminate the nation’s opt-out from the EU’s defence coverage is the most recent instance of European international locations in search of nearer defence hyperlinks with allies in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Polling stations opened in Denmark for voters to determine Wednesday whether or not to desert their nation’s 30-year-old opt-out from the European Union’s widespread defence coverage.
The referendum is the most recent instance of European international locations in search of nearer defence hyperlinks with allies in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It follows Sweden and Finland’s historic bids to hitch NATO, which plans to take up their functions on the finish of the month.
Some 4.2 million Danish voters are eligible to solid ballots within the referendum. The “yes” aspect — in favor of eliminating the 1992 opt-out — has been forward in current months. Polls confirmed it with round 40% assist and the “no” aspect with 30%.
“The world is changing, and not in a good way. We need to stand together and strengthen the cooperation that strengthens our security,” Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, head of the opposition Liberal Party, mentioned as he handed out flyers Wednesday in a last-minute try and persuade undecided voters to vote “yes.”
Recent polls confirmed that about 20% of voters remained undecided.
Modest impression on Europe
Denmark becoming a member of the EU’s defence coverage would have a comparatively modest impression on Europe’s safety structure, notably in comparison with Sweden and Finland becoming a member of NATO. But Christine Nissen, a researcher with the Danish Institute for International Studies, mentioned each strikes have been “part of the same story,” and would strengthen army cooperation on a continent shocked by the conflict in Ukraine.
The major impact of abandoning the opt-out could be that Danish officers may keep within the room when EU colleagues talk about defence matters, and Danish forces may participate in EU army operations.
Denmark on the sidelines
One of the founding members of NATO, Denmark has stayed on the sidelines of the EU’s efforts to construct a standard safety and defence coverage in parallel with the trans-Atlantic NATO alliance. It was certainly one of 4 opt-outs that Danes insisted on earlier than adopting the EU’s Maastricht Treaty, which laid the muse for political and financial union.
The waiver means Denmark has not participated within the EU’s discussions on defence coverage, its improvement and acquisition of army capabilities and its joint army operations, comparable to these in Africa and Bosnia.
In a 1993 referendum, Denmark additionally opted out of cooperation in EU justice and residential affairs, the widespread forex and citizenship. The citizenship opt-out, which mentioned European citizenship wouldn’t exchange nationwide citizenship, has since turn into irrelevant as different members later adopted the identical place. But the opposite provisions stay intact regardless of efforts by successive authorities to overturn them.
Danish voters in 2000 determined to remain exterior the eurozone, and 15 years later they voted to maintain the exemption on justice and residential affairs.
Source: www.thehindu.com
