Denmark is the only member of the 27 bloc that is not part of the Common Security and Defense Policy. The Scandinavian country of about 6 million people got exemptions from that policy in a 1993 referendum on the Treaty of Maastricht, which laid the foundation for the modern European Union.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was an important factor that prompted the government to call a referendum, and that the vote was an important value-based decision and a way to signal stronger EU support. The government has spent several weeks campaigning “yes”.
Denmark is a founding member of NATO, but participation in the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy will enable Denmark to participate in joint EU military operations, such as those in Somalia, Mali and Bosnia.
“NATO will, of course, remain our most important tool, but the EU gives us another tool to secure our defense in the east,” said Mogens Jensen, a defense spokesman for the ruling Social Democrats.
While the EU would benefit from Denmark’s extensive experience in military operations as part of NATO and other alliances, a yes vote is often seen as a symbolic victory in Brussels, according to Kristian Sobe Christensen, senior researcher at the University of Copenhagen Center for the Army. studies.
“The political importance will outweigh the military contribution,” Christensen told Reuters.
A large majority in Parliament recommends canceling the withdrawal. Wednesday’s vote will be the third by Danish lawmakers to overturn one of the 1993 withdrawal decisions after the vote on the euro in 2000 and Justice and Home Affairs in 2015, both of which failed.
Initial polls showed a strong lead for those who voted to cancel the withdrawal, with nearly 48% in favor and 31% against.
The naysayers have argued that EU defense cooperation is strained by bureaucracy and inefficient decision-making, while also fearing the prospect of contributing to a potential military that transcends EU national borders.
The European Union has no plans to create a supranational army within the bloc, but has decided to form a rapid deployment force consisting of up to 5,000 soldiers.
Polling stations close at 8 p.m. local time. The result is expected in the late evening.
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