2022 Danish European Union Opt-out Referendum

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. The referendum was announced on 6 March 2022 following a broad multi-party defence agreement reached during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The referendum was approved with the "Yes" side securing approximately two-thirds of the vote.

Background

After the rejection of the Maastricht Treaty in the 1992 referendum, the Edinburgh Agreement was reached, granting Denmark four opt-outs from European Union (EU) policies, including one on defence matters. This compromise allowed Denmark to ratify the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. The defence opt-out meant that Denmark did not participate in the Common Security and Defence Policy or EU military operations. In addition, the opt-out excluded Denmark from decision-making processes in the EU related to military operations.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sent shockwaves across Europe, prompting countries to reassess their security and defense strategies. In response, the Danish government, under Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, reconsidered Denmark’s longstanding opt-out from EU defense cooperation. The government and EU officials viewed Denmark's potential alignment with EU defense policies as essential for strengthening Europe’s security framework. Less than two weeks after Russia's invasion, Frederiksen called for a referendum to abolish the defense opt-out, marking what was seen as a decisive shift in Denmark's defense policy.

This was the third referendum held on Denmark's EU 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 it, and those voting against must constitute at least 30% of the total electorate. However, the parties supporting the defence agreement agreed that the result would be respected regardless of voter turnout.

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. The parties supporting the agreement also backed measures to increase defence spending and reduce Denmark's reliance on Russian gas. The Liberal Alliance and the Christian Democrats also endorsed the "Yes" option, while the Independent Greens voted in favor but did not issued a recommendation to voters. Opposing the abolition of the opt-out, the Danish People's Party, New Right, Young Conservatives and the Red–Green Alliance endorsed the 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). 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. Jeppe Kofod, Denmark's Foreign Minister, defended the original wording, emphasising that the vote was about aligning Denmark with the other 26 EU member states. However, following the criticism, Kofod announced a revised 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?"

There were concerns that eliminating the opt-out and participating in the CSDP could eventually lead to Denmark having to join a future European army if one were created. Foreign Minister Kofod committed that any such change would require treaty revisions, which would require approval by the Danish people in a new referendum.

Television debates

Four major television debates involving the leaders of parties represented in the Folketing were held.

Opinion polls

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

Exit polls released by national broadcasters DR and TV 2 immediately after polls closed at 20:00 CEST (18:00 UTC) indicated that a large majority of the electorate had voted "Yes". This was the first time that Denmark had ever abolished one of its EU opt-outs. It was also the highest 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 among the lowest for any EU referendum in Denmark, with only the 2014 Danish Unified Patent Court membership referendum having had a lower turnout. Election scholars expressed concern and attributed the low turnout to some political parties being hesitant to campaign actively, as well as opinion polls that consistently showed a strong lead for the "Yes" side.

Reactions

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen commented that she was "very very happy" for the result, stating 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 supported the "Yes" campaign. Frederiksen emphasized 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.

Morten Messerschmidt commented that the result showed that the Danish People's Party was alive. 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. She mentioned that many of the party's voters had voted "Yes", and promised that the party would remain engaged with defence policy.

International reactions

* : Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result and said that Denmark and the EU "would benefit from the decision". President of the European Council Charles Michel stated that the decision would strengthen Europe and "make both the EU and the Danish people safer and stronger."
* : President Emmanuel Macron said that it was a "fantastic news for our Europe" and that "we are stronger together".

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. On 23 March 2023, the Danish Parliament approved participation in the EDA and PESCO. PESCO members voted on Danish participation on 23 May 2023, confirming Denmark's participation in PESCO, Denmark becoming its 26th member.

Notes

References

Further reading

*

{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Reactions

Denmark
Referendum
Referendums in Denmark
Referendums related to the European Union
Denmark and the European Union
Denmark
Denmark
Reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine