Danes vote overwhelmingly to end EU security and defence opt-out

Danes have given their resounding backing to join the EU’s common security and defence policy, ending a 30-year opt-out in response to Russia’s war Ukraine.

Two weeks after Russia’s invasion Denmark’s government called a referendum on the future of the 1993 opt-out, and campaigned for its end.On Wednesday evening, with 57 per cent of votes counted, public broadcaster DR said 66.3 per cent of Danes agreed to end the opt-out, with 33.4 per cent opposed.

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said the decision was important to boost the security of the country, two weeks after neighbouring Sweden and Finland voted to join Nato – of which Denmark was a founding member.

“Although there are things we disagree about in Danish politics we do agree today on voting yes,” she said before polls closed.

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Wednesday’s vote was the first time Danes have opted to end special arrangements agreed with Brussels after voters in a referendum rejected the 1992 Maastricht treaty, the foundation of European economic and political union.

The so-called Edinburgh Agreement secured EU opt-outs for Denmark on economic and monetary union; justice and home affairs; citizenship of the European Union; and common security and defence.

These opt-outs mean that Denmark is not obliged to follow EU laws on these areas but is also not involved in shaping them either. According to a recent estimate, Denmark has invoked its opt-out 235 times in the past 30 years.

The common security and defence opt-out meant Danish officials were obliged to leave the room in Brussels during recent discussions over adopting common approaches on military procurement and cybersecurity.

Since the Ukraine war, with joint EU security arrangements a political priority, Ms Frederiksen framed the end of the opt-out as a way to put Denmark “in the heart of Europe, without any reservations”.

None of the other three opt-outs are affected by Wednesday’s vote, which was backed by most mainstream parties and opposed by the far-left Red Green alliance and two far-right parties.

Morten Messerschmidt, leader of the far-right opposition Danish People’s Party, accused the yes side of “misusing the war in Ukraine to make Danes feel that it is important we stand together”.

Opposition conservative party leader Søren Pape, in favour of ending the opt-out, told members: “A lot indicates that after 30 years Danes have decided to get rid of the defence waiver.”

Meanwhile, Switzerland has reportedly refused Denmark permission to export to Ukraine Swiss-made armoured personnel carriers. According to Swiss broadcaster SRF, the economics ministry in Bern refused the request from Copenhagen without giving a reason. Last month Switzerland, with is traditionally neutral, refused Germany permission to give Ukraine Swiss-made munition.