The people of Denmark voted today (Wednesday) by a large majority in favor of adopting the common security policy of the European Union, as part of the consequences of the war that Russia launched in Ukraine about three months ago. So far, Denmark has been excluded from European security policy, as it has been with the euro and a number of other issues on which it has gained relative independence. Now, the results of the samples released after the polls close show a “historic majority” for joining EU policies, bringing the Scandinavian country one step further into deeper integration into the organization.
According to the samples, 68% of Danish residents voted in favor of the move, compared to 32% who opposed it. The move is supported by most parties in parliament, including the ruling Social Democratic Party. The practical implications of the move are not many, but may be in the future, if Europe steps towards the establishment of a common European army. Until now, Denmark was the only country in the union that was not part of the organization’s common security and defense states.
The background to the declaration of the referendum, which was at the top of the country’s agenda and included many billboards for or against the move, was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. Prime Minister Mada Fredricksen said the government supported the move because it “sends a message of unity regarding the EU”. She is the one who determined the referendum. “This is the right decision for our future,” she said before the polls became known. “We are facing growing uncertainty, and we see that we must stand together.” Before the invasion of Ukraine, opinions in Denmark on equal divisions were equal.
Denmark is a member of NATO, and has sent combat forces to Afghanistan and other battlefields. It is considered a close ally of the United States. “NATO will remain our most important tool,” Fredriksen said, “but the EU is giving us another tool to ensure our security from the East.” Last month, neighboring Finland and Sweden announced their intention to join NATO, after decades of refraining from doing so. .