Denmark Just Reversed 30 Years of Euroskeptic Defense Policy—Thanks to Russia & More News Here

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her husband Bo Tengberg forged their ballots at a polling station in Vaerloese close to Copenhagen, Denmark, on Jun. 1, 2022, as historically euroskeptic Denmark votes in a referendum on whether or not to overturn its opt-out on the EU’s widespread defence. Credit – Ritzau Scanpix—AFP through Getty Images

Denmark on Wednesday voted to overturn its opt-out of the E.U.’s widespread protection coverage, reversing three many years of Euroskepticism relating to safety issues. The transfer is the most recent signal of the West coalescing in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Some 66.9% of voters cast referendum ballots in favor of abandoning the opt-out—first negotiated in 1992—which means Danish officers can now take part in E.U. protection discussions and the nation’s armed forces can deploy on E.U. navy operations.

“We now have an even stronger foundation for close Nordic security cooperation in #EU & NATO,” tweeted Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod in response to the consequence.

Although Denmark has been an E.U. member since 1973, the nation of 5.8 million has been one of probably the most hesitant individuals. The nation has opted out of the euro single forex and customary bloc insurance policies on justice and residential affairs—in addition to, till now, protection—that Danes believed would undermine their sovereignty.

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But Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression has spurred a rethink. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen known as the referendum simply two weeks after Russia’s Feb. 24 full-scale invasion of Ukraine—and regardless of her Euroskeptic authorities beforehand supporting the opt-out and deeming it a major half of Danish id.

In the tip, 11 of Denmark’s 14 events—representing greater than three-quarters of parliament—urged voters to say “yes” to reverse the opt-out.

“Unfortunately we are looking forward to a time that will be even more unstable than what we experience now,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen informed reporters after casting her poll. “I believe it is the right thing for Europe, I believe it is the right thing for Denmark, believe it is the right thing for our future.”

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The transfer comes as Nordic neighbors Finland and Sweden have utilized to be part of NATO, abandoning 75 and 200 years of navy neutrality, respectively. Denmark, in contrast, was a founding member of NATO and has lengthy adopted a hawkish navy posture, regularly participating in joint navy drills and becoming a member of the U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In this sense, Wednesday’s referendum is nearer to correcting an aberration than the momentous U-turns of Finland and Sweden.

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“Sweden and Finland applying to join NATO is a move of a different magnitude,” says Christine Nissen, a researcher with the Danish Institute for International Studies. “Though the [Denmark referendum] is part of the same story of greater European unity.”

The symbolism is essential however there are substantive components as nicely. For one, Denmark can now take part in PESCO, or Permanent Structured Cooperation, an enhanced E.U. safety framework established in 2017 to allow member states to develop protection capabilities, collaborate on shared tasks (together with weapons techniques), and enhance the operational readiness and efficiency of their armed forces. Still, there’s no obligation for Denmark or any member state to partake in E.U. navy operations beneath the widespread protection coverage.

Denmark has already been a major contributor to Ukraine’s protection by way of NATO, even sending heavy weapons equivalent to Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The missiles use lively radar homing and fly simply above the water to evade defenses—and lots of take into account these weapons offensive reasonably than strictly defensive. “Basically, everything that can move within the Danish armed forces is deployed as part of the NATO response to bolster the defense on the eastern flank,” says Kristian Soby Kristensen, deputy head of the Centre for Military Studies on the University of Copenhagen.

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Much of the talk across the referendum involved whether or not nearer alignment with the E.U. on protection would possibly come on the expense of cherished navy ties to the U.S., U.Ok., and NATO. “NATO is the guarantor of Denmark’s security,” Morten Messerschmitt, head of the right-wing Danish People’s Party, who was towards dropping the opt-out, argued throughout a televised debate Sunday “[Denmark’s defensive posture] would be totally different if it were decided in Brussels.”

However, Finland and Sweden’s choice to apply to be part of NATO replicate the truth that the 2 blocs are more and more aligned. Another spur for Denmark to fall in with the E.U. on safety was the choice by Germany—Denmark’s closest ally apart from the U.S.—to enhance its protection spending to 2% of GDP. “Now that Germany is likely to play a much larger role in European security, the perspective is that it will also materialize into a stronger role for the E.U.” says Nissen. “And so, there’s a wish to be a part of that.”

Separate to the referendum, Denmark in March agreed to enhance its protection funds to 2% of GDP by 2033.

Of course, eradicating the opt-out drives a deeper wedge between Copenhagen and Moscow, and dangers antagonizing Putin, although that seems of little consequence to both Denmark’s authorities or folks. “It’s gone beyond that—opposition to Russia is strong and heartfelt,” says Kristensen. “The fact that a large country can use its military force to blatantly attack another country goes against everything that Danish foreign and security policy has been built upon for the last 70 years.”

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