Danish opposition wants referendum on EU defence relations

By CNN Denmark

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- The left-wing opposition in Denmark has called for a new referendum on a controversial opt-out clause in the European Union's Maastricht Treaty on closer political and economic integration.

The Socialist People's Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti) wants the government to allow a vote on whether to maintain the opt-out clause on EU defence cooperation, according to Wednesday's edition of the Berlingske Tidende daily.

The exemption was part of a political agreement reached with the EU in 1993, following Denmark's rejection of the Maastricht Treaty the previous year.

Danish voters agreed to ratify the treaty, but only on condition that Denmark would not have to participate in any military operations led by the EU.

However, The Socialist People's Party now wants Danish forces to be allowed to participate in humanitarian operations -- such as mine sweeping -- even if the missions are under EU command.

"I would not mind a new referendum, because I think we will win, and you have to remember, that the purpose of the opt-out clause was to prevent Denmark from participating in any European army -- not to prevent Denmark from participating in mine sweeping operations," said party spokesman Villy Søvndal.

The call for a new EU-related referendum comes only three weeks after the Danes rejected the European single currency.

The Socialist People's Party has traditionally been very critical of the EU. The party forced the opt-out clauses in 1993 in order to support a yes to the Maastricht Treaty. The three other exemptions introduced at the time referred to EU citizenship, legal harmonization and participation in the European single currency.

The Danish Government rejects the idea of any kind of referendum in the near future.

CNN Denmark
Socialist People's Party

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