COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Historically skeptical about European Union efforts to deepen cooperation, Danish voters today will choose whether to abandon the country's decision three decades ago to opt out of the bloc's common defense policy.
The Danish referendum comes as the latest example of European countries seeking closer defense links with allies in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It follows Sweden and Finland's historic bids to join NATO -- something to be taken up at a summit next month.
Denmark joining the EU defense 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 are "part of the same story," and would strengthen military cooperation on a continent stunned by the war in Ukraine.
Nissen said the main effect of abandoning the opt-out decision would be that Danish officials could stay in the room when EU colleagues discuss defense topics and Danish forces could take part in the bloc's military operations.
Denmark, a founding member of NATO, has stayed on the sidelines of EU efforts to build a common security and defense policy in parallel with the trans-Atlantic alliance. It was one of four opt-out moves that Danes insisted on before adopting the EU's Maastricht Treaty, which laid the foundation for political and economic union.
The 1992 waiver means Denmark hasn't participated in the EU's discussions on defense policy, its development and acquisition of military capabilities and its joint military operations, such as those in Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Danes also opted out of EU cooperation on justice and home affairs, the common currency and citizenship.
The opt-out decision on citizenship, which said European citizenship wouldn't replace national citizenship, has since become irrelevant as other members later adopted the same position. But the other provisions remain intact despite efforts by successive governments to overturn them.
In a 2000 referendum, Danish voters decided to stay outside the eurozone and 15 years later they voted to keep the exemption on justice and home affairs. This time, however, Danes appear ready to say goodbye to opting out of common defense.
Social Democratic Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called for the referendum on March 8, less than two weeks after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. She called on citizens to vote "yes" to abolishing the exception, saying to do so "will strengthen our security."
"I am voting in favor of abolishing the opt-out" decision, said Peter Jakobsen, a 61-year-old pharmacist in Copenhagen. "We must not stand outside. We are in the EU and we must be involved. We must make a difference."
But Sanne Michelsen, a 52-year-old shopper in Copenhagen, said she didn't see the point of suddenly joining the EU's defense policy after years on the outside.
"This is a referendum about an opt-out that has never caused us any problem," she said in her native Danish before turning to English to add, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it.'"
The "yes" side has had a lead in polls, with about 40% in favor of dropping the exemption and 30% against. About 25% of voters say they are still undecided.
There is widespread support for dropping the defense opt-out decision in Parliament. Only three small parties want to maintain it, two on the right and one on the left.
Chairman of the Danish People's Party Morten Messerschmidt hangs a poster with writing reading in Danish "Vote no to more EU", in Amagerbro in Copenhagen, Saturday, May 7, 2022. Historically skeptical about European Union efforts to deepen security cooperation, Danish voters on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 will decide whether to abandon their country's 30-year-old opt-out from the bloc's common defense policy. (Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix)
Danish People's Party chairman Morten Messerschmidt, right, and former brigadier general British Geoffrey Van Orden, of the NO campaign, give a press conference at The Library Bar in Copenhagen, Monday 30 May 2022. Historically skeptical about European Union efforts to deepen security cooperation, Danish voters on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 will decide whether to abandon their country’s opt-out from the bloc’s common defense policy. (Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Political leader The Red-Green Alliance Mai Villadsen hands out flyers during their NO campaign at Noerreport Station in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Danish voters on Wednesday will decide whether to abandon their country's 30-year-old opt-out from the bloc's common defense policy. Writing on flyer reads in Danish "Vote no on June 1, preserve the defense reservation." (Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Political leader The Red-Green Alliance Mai Villadsen hands out flyers during their NO campaign at Noerreport Station in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Danish voters on Wednesday will decide whether to abandon their country's 30-year-old opt-out from the bloc's common defense policy. Writing on posters reads in Danish "The defense industry is one of the most climate damaging in the world, no defense reservation." (Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Political leader The Red-Green Alliance Mai Villadsen hands out flyers during their NO campaign at Noerreport Station in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Danish voters on Wednesday will decide whether to abandon their country's 30-year-old opt-out from the bloc's common defense policy. Writing on posters reads in Danish "The defense industry is one of the most climate damaging in the world, no defense reservation." (Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
FILE - Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, right, speaks to people while on an election campaign, in Holbaek, Denmark, Saturday, May 28, 2022. Historically skeptical about European Union efforts to deepen security cooperation, Danish voters on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, will decide whether to abandon their country's 30-year-old opt-out from the bloc's common defense policy. (Claus Bech/ Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)