Denmark voted on Wednesday to decide whether to cancel the 30-year choose, decide-out and sharing in European Union defense policyis likely to become final Bearing in Bloc sign up like Russia invasion of Ukrainian forces countries To radically reassess their security.
Denmark is the only member of The 27-nation bloc in The Common Security and Defense Policy, having obtained exceptions to it and the euro currency in 1993 referendum on Maastricht Treaty, which laid the foundation for Modern European Union.
If the notorious EU-critical Danes vote To cancel the check-out, as the polls indicate, would be another important shift in policy for Europe launched after Russia invasion in February.
This month Sweden and Finland decided to advance for NATO membership. Both Denmark and Germany have already She promised to sharply increase defense spending.
NATO will of a path remain Our most important tool, but the EU gives it us Another tool in securing our defense in East,” said Mogens Jensen, defense official speaker for The ruling Social Democrats.
Denmark is a founding member of NATO, but the biggest alliance military powerThe United States has indicated that European allies should bear greater responsibility for their own security.
to share in The Common Security and Defense Policy will enable Denmark to participate in Common European Union military Such operations in Somalia, Mali, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
And while the European Union will benefit from the vast Danish experience in military Operations as part of NATO and other alliances, yes vote It will be seen mostly as symbolic win in Brussels, according to Christian Soeby Christensen, a senior Researcher at the University of Copenhagen Center for Military studies.
“The political importance will outweigh military Christensen told Reuters.
the vast majority in parliament Recommend to deselect-out. Wednesday vote It will be the third attempt of its kind by Danish lawmakers to raise it one of 1993 Withdrawal after votes on euro in 2000 and justice And the home affairs in 2015, both of Which failed.
Initial opinion polls showed solidity lead For those who vote in favor of deselect-out and with nearly 48% in valid and 31% against.
The naysayers argued that the European Union defense Cooperation is strained due to bureaucracy and inefficiency decision made, while also For fear of the possibility of Having to contribute to a potential supranational EU army.
The European Union does not have plans To establish a supranational army within the bloc, but decided to form a rapid deployment force made up of up to 5000 soldiers.
Polls close at 6 pm GMT. The result Expected late in Evening.
