Denmark holds referendum on EU defence opt-out amid Ukraine crisis

The referendum in Denmark to decide whether to get rid of the country’s opt-out from the EU’s defence policy is the latest example of European countries seeking closer defence links with allies in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Polling stations opened in Denmark for voters to decide Wednesday whether to abandon their country’s 30-year-old opt-out from the European Union's common defence policy.

The referendum is the latest example of European countries seeking closer defence links with allies in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It follows Sweden and Finland’s historic bids to join NATO, which plans to take up their applications at the end of the month.

Some 4.2 million Danish voters are eligible to cast ballots in the referendum. The “yes” side — in favor of getting rid of the 1992 opt-out — has been ahead in recent months. Polls showed it with around 40% support and the “no” side with 30%.

"The world is changing, and not in a good way. We need to stand together and strengthen the cooperation that strengthens our security," Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, head of the opposition Liberal Party, said as he handed out flyers Wednesday in a last-minute attempt to convince undecided voters to vote “yes.”

Recent polls showed that about 20% of voters remained undecided.

Denmark joining the EU's defence policy would have a relatively modest impact on Europe’s security architecture, particularly compared to Sweden and Finland joining NATO. But Christine Nissen, a researcher with the Danish Institute for International Studies, said both moves were “part of the same story,” and would strengthen military cooperation on a continent stunned by the war in Ukraine.

The main effect of abandoning the opt-out would be that Danish officials could stay in the room when EU colleagues discuss defence topics, and Danish forces could take part in EU military operations.