2022 Danish European Union opt-out referendum explained

Danish European Union opt-out referendum
Country:Denmark
Do you vote yes or no on Denmark being able to participate in the European defence and security co-operation by abolishing the EU defence opt-out?
Yes:1,848,242
No:915,717
Invalid:38,558
Total:2,802,517
Electorate:4,260,944
Map Size:300px

A referendum on the abolition of the defence opt-out, one of the country's opt-outs from the European Union, was held in Denmark on 1 June 2022.[1] [2] The referendum was announced on 6 March 2022 following a broad multi-party defence agreement reached during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[3] The referendum resulted in the "Yes" side winning with approximately two-thirds of the vote.[4]

Background

After the rejection of the Maastricht Treaty in the 1992 referendum, the Edinburgh Agreement was reached, which gave Denmark four opt-outs in the European Union (EU), one of which was on defence matters. The Maastricht Treaty was subsequently ratified in 1993. The defence opt-out meant that Denmark did not participate in the Common Security and Defence Policy or EU military operations.[5] In addition, the opt-out meant that Denmark did not participate in the decision processes in the EU related to military operations.[6]

This is the third referendum to be held in relation to the country's opt-outs. In 2000, the Danish electorate rejected the adoption of the euro as national currency, and in 2015 a proposal to modify the justice opt-out was also rejected. For a referendum to be rejected, a majority of participating voters must vote against, and the voters voting against must represent at least 30% of the electorate; however the parties behind the defence agreement have agreed that the result of the referendum should stand regardless of the turnout.[7]

Campaign

The defence agreement was signed and presented by the leaders of the Social Democrats, Venstre, Socialist People's Party, Social Liberal Party, and the Conservative People's Party.[8] The parties endorsed the agreement, which also included increased defence spending and the aim of ending the country's dependency on Russian gas. Liberal Alliance and the Christian Democrats have also endorsed the "Yes" option,[9] while the Independent Greens voted "Yes" but did not recommend voters what they should vote.[10] The Danish People's Party, New Right, Young Conservatives and the Red–Green Alliance have opposed the abolition of the opt-out, recommending the electorate vote "No".

On 30 March, the Danish Foreign Ministry released two bills (draft laws) for organising the referendum and joining the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).[11] Following this, the wording of the referendum question, which did not mention the European Union nor the opt-out, was criticised by the Danish People's Party and the Red-Green Alliance.[12] Jeppe Kofod, Denmark's Foreign Minister, defended the wording, emphasising that the vote was about joining the other 26 EU member states. Following the criticism, Kofod announced a changing to the wording on 7 April, which read: "Do you vote for or against Denmark's participation in the European defence and security co-operation by abolishing the EU defence opt-out?"[13]

Concern was raised that eliminating the opt-out and participating in the CSDP could eventually lead to Denmark having to join a European army if one were to be created in the future. Foreign Minister Kofod committed that any such change would require treaty revisions, which would be put to the Danish people for approval in a new referendum.[14]

Television debates

Four major television debates involving the leaders of parties represented in the Folketing were held.[15] [16] [17]

DateOrganisersVenue
YesNo
AVFBCIQÅKMØOD
11 May[18] DR1War Museum, CopenhagenP
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
18 MayTV 2 NewsDokk1, AarhusS
P
P
NININININININIP
P
NI
29 May[19] TV2Christiansborg, CopenhagenP
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
31 MayDR1DR Koncerthuset, CopenhagenP
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P

Opinion polls

Date(s)Polling agencySampleLead
30 May 2022Epinion44%28%19%16%
27–30 May 2022Voxmeter1,09153%28%19%25%
2327 May 2022Voxmeter2,00851%27%22%24%
1622 May 2022Voxmeter45.5%30%24.6%15.5%
9 May 2022Epinion38%27%35%11%
6 May 2022Megafon1,00939%26%35%13%
20–27 April 2022Epinion2,09039%26%35%13%
18–24 April 2022Voxmeter39.5%32.1%28.4%7.4%
4–10 April 2022Voxmeter/Ritzau38.8%32.4%28.8%6.4%
31 March – 7 April 2022Epinion2,10236%27%37%9%
28 March – 3 April 2022Voxmeter/Ritzau1,00739.2%35.8%25%3.4%
22–28 March 2022Voxmeter1,00040.3%35.4%24.3%4.9%
14–20 March 2022Voxmeter1,50938.2%30.9%30.9%7.3%
6–20 March 2022Wilke1,00042%30%28%12%
8–15 March 2022Epinion1,02038%23%39%15%
7–11 March 2022Voxmeter1,50944.2%28.7%27.1%15.5%
7–8 March 2022Megafon2,05455%23%22%32%
6 March: The government of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces a referendum on the Danish defence opt-out to be held on 1 June.
3–4 March 2022Megafon1,09249%27%23%22%

Results

The result meant that 43.38% of the registered electorate had voted for the proposal, and 21.49% had voted against.

By constituency

Aftermath

Reactions

Exit polls released by national broadcasters DR and TV 2 immediately after polls closed at 20:00 CEST (18:00 UTC) showed a large majority of the electorate had voted "Yes".[21] [22] This was the first time that Denmark had ever abolished one of its EU opt-outs.[23] This was the largest share of the vote ever received by the "Yes" side in an EU-referendum, with the result being described by some as a landslide. The turnout at 65.8% was noted as one of the lowest of any EU referendum, with only the 2014 Danish Unified Patent Court membership referendum having had a lower turnout.[24] Election scholars expressed concern and attributed the low turnout to some parties being hesitant to campaign, as well as the opinion polls prior to the election showing the yes side having a large lead.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen commented that she was "very very happy" for the result, and said that Denmark had sent a very important signal to its allies and a clear signal to Vladimir Putin. She also praised the cooperation with the other parties that had advocated in favour of the referendum. Frederiksen emphasised that there were no plans to abolish Denmark's remaining opt-outs, promising that the referendum had been "about the defence opt-out and nothing else". Venstre leader Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said that the vote sent a clear result that other countries could count on Denmark. He then focused on the next Danish general election, saying that the country's right-wing should work together to give Denmark a new government.[25]

Morten Messerschmidt commented that the result showed that the Danish People's Party was alive.[25] He said that many people's votes were "influenced by the war in Ukraine". Political Spokesperson of Red–Green Alliance, Mai Villadsen, said that she had "very great respect" for the result of the election.[26] She mentioned that many of the party's voters had voted "Yes", and promised that the party would remain engaged with defence policy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result and said that Denmark and the EU "would benefit from the decision".[27] French President Emmanuel Macron said that it was a "fantastic news for our Europe" and that "we are stronger together".[28]

Developments

With the end of the EU defence opt-out effective from 1 July 2022, the Danish government had the power to request Denmark's participation in the European Defence Agency and Permanent Structured Cooperation.[29] On 23 March 2023, the Danish Parliament approved participation in the EDA and PESCO.[30] [31] PESCO members voted on Danish participation on 23 May 2023, confirming Denmark's participation in PESCO, Denmark becoming its 26th member.[32]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-03-06 . Danskerne skal stemme om forsvarsforbeholdet 1. juni . 2022-03-06 . TV2 . da-DK . 2022-03-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220306181337/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-03-06-danskerne-skal-stemme-om-forsvarsforbeholdet-1-juni . live .
  2. Web site: 30 March 2022 . Endeligt udkast til forslag til Lov om Danmarks deltagelse i det europæiske samarbejde om sikkerhed og forsvar . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331223107/https://prodstoragehoeringspo.blob.core.windows.net/0dba5221-5508-44ed-a16c-a3ab47294cff/Endeligt%20udkast%20til%20forslag%20til%20Lov%20om%20afholdelse%20af%20folkeafstemning%20om%20forslag%20til%20lov%20om%20Danmarks%20deltagelse%20i%20det%20europ%C3%A6iske%20samarbejde%20om%20sikkerhed%20og%20forsvar_fin_300322.pdf . 31 March 2022 . 14 April 2022.
  3. Web site: 6 March 2022 . Nationalt kompromis om dansk sikkerhedspolitik . National compromise on Danish security policy . 8 March 2022 . Regeringen . da . 6 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220306224759/https://www.regeringen.dk/media/11124/nationalt-kompromis-om-dansk-sikkerhedspolitik.pdf . live .
  4. Web site: Resultater – Folkeafstemning onsdag 1. juni 2022 – Danmarks Statistik . 2022-06-01 . dst.dk . 2022-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601202025/https://dst.dk/valg/Valg1962294/valgopg/valgopg.htm . live .
  5. Web site: Danmark og EU . 2022-03-08 . Forsvarsministeriet . da . 2022-03-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220319190831/https://www.fmn.dk/da/arbejdsomraader/internationalt-samarbejde/eu/ . live .
  6. Web site: 2022-03-06 . Hvad betyder det, om det bliver et ja eller et nej til forsvarsforbeholdet? – TV 2 . 2022-03-08 . TV2 . da-DK . 2022-03-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308053700/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-03-06-hvad-betyder-det-om-det-bliver-et-ja-eller-et-nej-til-forsvarsforbeholdet . live .
  7. Web site: 30 March 2022 . Endeligt udkast til forslag til Lov om Danmarks deltagelse i det europæiske samarbejde om sikkerhed og forsvar . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331223107/https://prodstoragehoeringspo.blob.core.windows.net/0dba5221-5508-44ed-a16c-a3ab47294cff/Endeligt%20udkast%20til%20forslag%20til%20Lov%20om%20afholdelse%20af%20folkeafstemning%20om%20forslag%20til%20lov%20om%20Danmarks%20deltagelse%20i%20det%20europ%C3%A6iske%20samarbejde%20om%20sikkerhed%20og%20forsvar_fin_300322.pdf . 31 March 2022 . 14 April 2022 . 7.
  8. Web site: 2022-03-06 . Forsvarsforbeholdet skal til folkeafstemning 1. juni, og Forsvaret skal styrkes . 2022-03-08 . . da . 2022-03-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308053658/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/forsvarsforbeholdet-skal-til-folkeafstemning-1-juni-og-forsvaret-skal-styrkes . live .
  9. Web site: 2022-03-08 . Her er de stærkeste argumenter for og imod forsvarsforbeholdet – TV 2 . 2022-03-08 . TV2 . da-DK . 2022-03-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308050612/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-03-08-her-er-de-staerkeste-argumenter-for-og-imod-forsvarsforbeholdet . live .
  10. Web site: Vi stemmer JA – Hvad stemmer du? . Independent Greens . 11 May 2022 . 1 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220512090205/https://friegronne.dk/vi-stemmer-ja-hvad-stemmer-du/ . 12 May 2022 . live.
  11. Web site: Høring om to lovforslag vedrørende folkeafstemning om Danmarks deltagelse i det europæiske samarbejde om sikkerhed og forsvar . 2022-03-31 . via.ritzau.dk . 2022-03-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331194521/https://via.ritzau.dk/embedded/release/horing-om-to-lovforslag-vedrorende-folkeafstemning-om-danmarks-deltagelse-i-det-europaeiske-samarbejde-om-sikkerhed-og-forsvar?publisherId=2012662&releaseId=13647744 . live .
  12. Web site: 2022-03-30 . Formulering på stemmeseddel ved folkeafstemning minder om direkte snyderi, mener Enhedslisten – TV 2 . 2022-03-31 . nyheder.tv2.dk . da-DK . 2022-03-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331075228/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-03-30-formulering-pa-stemmeseddel-ved-folkeafstemning-minder-om-direkte-snyderi-mener . live .
  13. Web site: 2022-04-07 . Ordlyden på stemmesedlen om forsvarsforbeholdet ændres – TV 2 . 2022-04-07 . nyheder.tv2.dk . da-DK . 2022-04-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220407135315/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-04-07-ordlyden-paa-stemmesedlen-om-forsvarsforbeholdet-aendres . live .
  14. Web site: Kofod forsøger at berolige EU-skeptikere: Lover ny afstemning, hvis fælles EU-hær bliver realitet. 2022-04-20. 2022-04-30. DR. 2022-04-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20220430141239/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/kofod-forsoeger-berolige-eu-skeptikere-lover-ny-afstemning-hvis-faelles-eu-haer. live.
  15. Web site: 2022-05-05 . Sådan dækker DR folkeafstemningen om forsvarsforbeholdet . 2022-05-29 . DR . da . 2022-05-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220529073336/https://www.dr.dk/om-dr/nyheder/saadan-daekker-dr-folkeafstemningen-om-forsvarsforbeholdet . live .
  16. Web site: Folkeafstemning om forsvarsforbeholdet: TV 2 NEWS og Radio4 samler politikere og eksperter til stor debat i Aarhus . 2022-05-29 . omtv2.tv2.dk . da . 2022-05-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220529073334/https://omtv2.tv2.dk/nyheder/2022/05/folkeafstemning-om-forsvarsforbeholdet-tv-2-news-og-radio4-samler-politikere-og-eksperter-til-stor-debat-i-aarhus/ . live .
  17. Web site: Ja eller nej til forsvarsforbeholdet? TV 2 skruer op for dækningen på alle platforme . 2022-05-29 . omtv2.tv2.dk . da . 2022-06-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220610213638/https://omtv2.tv2.dk/nyheder/2022/05/ja-eller-nej-til-forsvarsforbeholdet-tv-2-skruer-op-for-daekningen-paa-alle-platforme/ . live .
  18. Web site: 2022-05-11 . MINUT FOR MINUT: Sådan gik det, da partilederne tørnede sammen om forsvarsforbeholdet . 2022-05-29 . DR . da . 2022-05-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220512180819/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/live-nu-debatterer-partilederne-forsvarsforbeholdet . live .
  19. Web site: 2022-05-29 . Bølgerne gik højt i EU-debat – her er fem nedslag – TV 2 . 2022-05-31 . nyheder.tv2.dk . da-DK . 2022-05-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220530172519/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-05-29-boelgerne-gik-hoejt-i-eu-debat-her-er-fem-nedslag . live .
  20. Web site: RESULTATER . RESULTS . danish . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609183555/https://www.dst.dk/valg/Valg1962294/valgopg/valgopg.htm . 9 June 2022 . live.
  21. Web site: Exitpoll: Stort flertal stemmer 'ja' til at afskaffe forsvarsforbeholdet Seneste nyt . 2022-06-02 . DR . June 2022 . da . 2022-06-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220610213637/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/exitpoll-stort-flertal-af-danskerne-stemmer-ja-til-afskaffe-forsvarsforbeholdet . live .
  22. Web site: 2022-06-01 . Exitpoll: Flertal stemmer ja – TV 2 . 2022-06-02 . nyheder.tv2.dk . da-DK . 2022-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601190946/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2022-06-01-exitpoll-flertal-stemmer-ja . live .
  23. Web site: 2022-06-01 . Danskerne stemmer ja til at afskaffe forsvarsforbeholdet – TV 2 . 2022-06-02 . nyheder.tv2.dk . da-DK . 2022-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601202857/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2022-06-01-danskerne-stemmer-ja-til-at-afskaffe-forsvarsforbeholdet . live .
  24. Web site: 2022-06-02 . Lav valgdeltagelse bekymrer: 'Det er et nederlag for demokratiet' . 2022-06-02 . DR . da . 2022-06-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220602075720/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/folkeafstemning/lav-valgdeltagelse-bekymrer-det-er-et-nederlag-demokratiet . live .
  25. Web site: 2022-06-01 . Ellemann glæder sig over ja – og ser frem mod næste valg – TV 2 . 2022-06-02 . nyheder.tv2.dk . da-DK . 2022-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601211452/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-06-01-ellemann-glaeder-sig-over-ja-og-ser-frem-mod-naeste-valg . live .
  26. Web site: 2022-06-01 . Mai Villadsen: Mange af vores vælgere har stemt ja – TV 2 . 2022-06-02 . nyheder.tv2.dk . da-DK . 2022-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601211001/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-06-01-mai-villadsen-mange-af-vores-vaelgere-har-stemt-ja . live .
  27. Web site: 2022-06-01 . Resten af Europa omfavner Danmark efter historisk resultat – TV 2 . 2022-06-02 . nyheder.tv2.dk . da-DK . 2022-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601231942/https://nyheder.tv2.dk/udland/2022-06-02-resten-af-europa-omfavner-danmark-efter-historisk-resultat . live .
  28. Web site: Macron . Emmanuel . 1 June 2022 . Aujourd'hui, le peuple danois a voté pour rejoindre la politique européenne de défense. C'est une excellente nouvelle pour notre Europe ! Nous sommes plus forts ensemble. . 2022-06-02 . Twitter . fr . 2022-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220601222840/https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1532103039166849025 . live .
  29. Web site: Danes vote yes to abolish EU defence opt-out – here are the next steps. 2022-06-02. 2022-06-05. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark). 2022-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20220602112911/https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/danes-vote-yes-to-abolish-eu-defence-opt-out-here-are-the-next-steps?publisherId=13560888&releaseId=13652552&lang=da. live.
  30. Web site: W . Christian . Denmark votes to join European Defence Agency . . 2 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430034718/https://cphpost.dk/2023-03-23/news/denmark-votes-to-join-european-defence-agency/ . 30 April 2023 . 23 March 2023.
  31. Web site: Szumski . Charles . Danish parliament votes to join European Defence Agency . . 2 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411214042/http://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/danish-parliament-votes-to-join-european-defence-agency/ . 11 April 2023 . 23 March 2023 . live.
  32. Web site: 23 May 2023 . EU defence cooperation: Council welcomes Denmark into PESCO and launches the 5th wave of new PESCO projects . 18 July 2023 . Council of the European Union.