Denmark moves to join EU defence policy

DENMARK looked set to join the European Union’s defence policy after a referendum yesterday, an exit poll showed. It is the latest shift by Nordic countries trying to deepen their defence ties in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

An exit poll by public broadcaster DR after polling stations closed showed 69 per cent of voters in favour of removing an opt-out to the EU’S Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The vote in the traditionally Eurosceptic Scandinavian country of 5.5 million people comes on the heels of historic applications by Finland and Sweden for Nato membership.

“I’m voting yes with all my heart,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said as she cast her ballot in her hometown of Vaerlose, on the outskirts of Copenhagen.

“Even if Denmark is a fantastic country – in my eyes the best country in the world – we are still a small country, and too small to stand alone in a very, very insecure world,” she said.

The defence opt-out means Copenhagen, a founding member of Nato, does not participate in EU foreign policy about defence and does not contribute troops to EU military missions.

More than 65 per cent of Denmark’s 4.3 million eligible voters were expected to vote to join the policy, according to an opinion poll published last Sunday.

In Copenhagen’s city hall, voting was brisk in the early morning as Danes hurried to cast their ballots while on the way to work.

Molly Stensgaard, 55, a scriptwriter, told AFP: “I think that these kinds of votes are even more important than earlier. In times of war it’s obviously important to state if you feel that you want to join this type of community or not.”

Mads Adam, 24, a political science student, agreed. “History changes and it affects us here in Denmark, and obviously we have to react to that.”

Ms Frederiksen announced the referendum having reached an agreement with a majority of parties in Denmark’s parliament, the Folketing.

She also announced plans to increase defence spending to 2 per cent of gross domestic product, in line with Nato membership requirements, by 2033.