Denmark will join the EU’s defence policy in the latest shake-up of Europe’s security architecture following Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
In the largest ever pro-EU vote in the traditionally Eurosceptic Scandinavian country, 67 per cent of Danes voted in favour of ending the opt-out in a historic referendum.
It is the first time in three attempts that Denmark has voted to end one of its hard-won opt-outs after it rejected the Maastricht treaty in 1992, and comes two weeks after Finland and Sweden submitted applications to join Nato.
“Tonight, Denmark has sent a very important signal — to our allies in Europe, and to [Russian president Vladimir] Putin. We show that when Putin invades a free country and threatens the stability of Europe, so we others move closer together,” prime minister Mette Frederiksen said on Wednesday evening.
Analysts said the Danish referendum and Finnish and Swedish decisions to seek Nato membership should lead to a strengthening of the Nordic region and its influence in Europe.
“This is a powerful signal that Denmark stands united with Ukraine and our allies in the fight for freedom and democracy,” said Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former Danish prime minister and Nato secretary-general.
Denmark’s centre-left government argued the Scandinavian country needed to be at the heart of Europe, especially after Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine.
Copenhagen still views Nato as its main tool for defence and security, but is currently excluded from discussions about EU policy in this area and cannot take part in the bloc’s missions, mostly in Africa and the Balkans.
Denmark has held two referendums on scrapping its other two opt-outs — over the euro in 2000 and justice and home affairs in 2015 — but in both cases voted no.
Copenhagen is increasing its military budget and opening up to allowing foreign troops to train and exercise on its soil for the first time since the 1950s as part of a huge shift in defence policy across Europe.
“The people of Denmark have made a historic choice. The world has changed since Russia invaded Ukraine. This decision will benefit Europe and make both the EU and the Danish people safer and stronger,” said Charles Michel, president of the European Council.
All the other 26 EU members take part in the bloc’s defence policy, which some politicians, such as France’s president Emmanuel Macron, have tried to boost in importance.
Opponents of ending the opt-out argued Denmark should rely solely on Nato. The no vote is a crushing defeat for the nationalist Danish People’s party, whose support has dwindled since the current Social Democrat government began to copy its harsh policies on immigration.
“The Danes choose co-operation in this incredibly complicated situation we are in. I am so happy about that,” health minister Magnus Heunicke said.
Many had seen Denmark as a possible candidate to follow the UK out of the EU but even the Danish People’s party have backed away from Dexit, while the government has turned from London to Berlin on a number of policies.
Lykke Friis, director of the Europa think-tank and a former centre-right minister, said: “The most important message is that since 2016 we have seen a very big shift in support of EU membership. What we are seeing now is also a major Ukraine effect.”
