Denmark votes to end its EU defence opt-out in historic referendum

Denmark is set to join the EU’s defence and security policy after a historic referendum to scrap its opt-out following Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

Exit polls on Wednesday evening showed a large majority prepared to end the opt-out with 67-69 per cent in favour and 31-33 per cent against, according to broadcasters DR and TV2.

It would be the first time in three attempts that Denmark has voted to end one of its hard-won opt-outs after it rejected the Maastricht treaty in 1992, and the highest vote in favour of the EU in a traditionally Eurosceptic country.

The Danish vote comes weeks after Finland and Sweden submitted applications to Nato, and analysts said both moves should lead to a strengthening of the Nordic region and its influence in Europe.

“It is difficult to say anything else than it looks really good,” said defence minister Morten Bødskov, who called the vote “a redemption”.

Denmark’s centre-left government argued the Scandinavian country needed to be at the heart of Europe, especially after Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine.

Copenhagen still views Nato as its main tool for defence and security, but is currently excluded from discussions about EU policy in this area and cannot take part in the bloc’s missions, mostly in Africa and the Balkans.

“This is a powerful signal that Denmark stands united with Ukraine and our allies in the fight for freedom and democracy,” said Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former Danish prime minister and Nato secretary-general.

Denmark has held two referendums on scrapping its other two opt-outs — over the euro in 2000 and justice and home affairs in 2015 — but in both cases voted no.

Copenhagen is increasing its military budget and opening up to allowing foreign troops to train and exercise on its soil for the first time since the 1950s as part of a huge shift in defence policy across Europe.

All the other 26 EU members take part in the bloc’s defence policy, which some politicians, such as France’s president Emmanuel Macron, have tried to boost in importance.

Opponents of ending the opt-out argued Denmark should rely solely on Nato. The no vote is a crushing defeat for the nationalist Danish People’s party, whose support has dwindled after the current Social Democrat government began to copy its harsh policies on immigration.

“The Danes choose co-operation in this incredibly complicated situation we are in. I am so happy about that,” health minister Magnus Heunicke said.

Many had seen Denmark as a possible candidate to follow the UK out of the EU but even the Danish People’s party have backed away from Dexit, while the government has turned from London to Berlin on a number of policies.

Lykke Friis, director of the Europa think-tank and a former centre-right minister, said: “The most important message is that since 2016 we have seen a very big shift in support of EU membership. What we are seeing now is also a major Ukraine effect.”