The country had obtained in 1993 a series of exceptions on several European issues, notably in matters of defense. The Danes voted on Wednesday at almost 67 % to end it, three months after the start of the war in Ukraine.
Le Monde with AFP
The Danes voted at almost 67 %, Wednesday 1
“Tonight, Denmark has 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 come together, “said Prime Minister, puts Frederiksen. “There was a Europe before February 24, before the Russian invasion and there is a Europe after,” she added.
EU chiefs, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, welcomed the “historic” vote of Denmark. ” Je salue le message fort d’engagement envers notre sécurité commune envoyé par le peuple danois “, a tweeted the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen , “convinced that Denmark and the EU will take advantage of this decision”. “The people of Denmark made a historical choice”, For his part, the president of the European Council, Charles Michel .
European defense is gaining momentum
Two weeks after the start of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, M Me Frederiksen had announced an agreement with most parties in Parliament to submit the end of the Danish exception to a referendum, as well as important military investments to cross the 2 % of GDP bar devoted to the defense budget desired by NATO.
Pays traditionally Eurosceptic, Denmark had obtained in 1993 a series of exceptions, called “OPT Outs” (“withdrawal options”) on several European issues, notably in terms of defense. The Scandinavian country – Founding member of NATO – could not participate in any military mission of the EU.
Formerly marginal, the defense policy of the twenty-seven has grown in recent years, even if the idea of a European army is still regulating for many capitals.