Published on: 02.06.2022 – 01:05
Danish voters voted ‘yes’ to the European Defense Policy on Wednesday 1 June, closing a thirty-year bracket. Thirty years in which the small Scandinavian country had received a derogation within the European Union. From now on, Denmark participates in European defense decisions.
It’s a vote that closes a page of thirty years, a page that opened in 1992. Back then that year, Denmark shook Europe to its very foundations by rejecting the Maastricht Treaty. At that time, Copenhagen agreed to vote a second time and ratify the treaty, securing a number of waivers in several areas.
Since then, Denmark has cultivated its difference within the EU by rejecting the euro and twice refusing to give up these home and justice derogations in referendums. With this vote, Denmark enters into the defense policy of the Union and can, for example, take part in military missions under the European flag.
How can this reversal be explained? Undoubtedly by the war in Ukraine, which destroyed many achievements in Europe in the field of defense. Countries are increasing their military budgets, Sweden and Finland are asking to join NATO. And Denmark is ending its European derogation.
“Denmark sent an important signal. To our allies in Europe and NATO, and to (President Vladimir) Putin. We show that when Putin invades a free country and threatens stability in Europe, we others come together,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told supporters. “There was a Europe before February 24, before the Russian invasion, and there is a Europe after,” she added.
European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel welcomed Denmark’s “historic” vote.