Polling stations are now open across Denmark as the Scandinavian country votes on joining the EU’s shared defense policy.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a significant reason for calling a referendum, saying it is an important value-based decision and a way to signal support for a stronger EU.
The referendum will determine whether Denmark maintains its nearly three-decade deactivation of EU defense policy. The opt-out prevents the Scandinavian nation of nearly 6 million from taking an active part in EU policy and defense missions.
Saying “yes” to canceling the opt-out would be a significant change in Denmark’s EU policy in Europe.
The government spent several weeks campaigning for a positive vote.
Polling stations close at 8 pm local time.
Denmark has been a member of the EU since January 1973, but has four derogations – or “opt-outs” – from EU cooperation. These, which include the Common Security and Defense Policy, were agreed between the then 12 member states after the Danish population initially rejected the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.
The decommissioning of Danish defense means that the country cannot participate in EU military operations or provide military support to EU-led efforts in conflict areas.
Denmark is the only member of the 27-nation bloc to be exempt from the policy.
Source: CNN Brasil
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