WSJ — Danes on Thursday rejected adopting some European Union justice rules in a referendum that became a litmus test for EU integration, in and around Denmark.
The Denmark vote could send ripples across the continent at a time when the EU is grappling with the biggest flow of displaced people since World War II and elevated security concerns following the terror attacks on Paris.
In the referendum, voters were asked if parliament should have the power to opt-in on a total of 22 EU justice and home affairs laws, from which the small Nordic country has hitherto been exempt. The laws cover a range of issues from human trafficking to child pornography and information-technology attacks.
With 98.5% of ballots counted late Thursday night, results showed 53% had voted “no” while 47% had voted “yes.”
The outcome is a defeat both for the Danish government and the main opposition parties who had urged voters to back the proposal, arguing it was necessary for Denmark to combat cross-border crime and remain a member of Europol even after a planned overhaul of the intergovernmental police agency next year.
The main winner is the Danish People’s Party, or DPP, the second biggest party in parliament and a key ally of the government, which called on Danes to vote “no.” DPP leaders have said that adopting the government plan could compel Denmark to participate in joint EU efforts to tackle the region’s migrant crisis.
Denmark, like the U.K., has so far been exempt from the EU’s migrant-relocation plan, as well as a raft of other common EU regulations.
Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, of the right-wing Liberals, has denied a “yes” vote would lead to Denmark accepting more refugees.
The outcome may sow further tension between the Liberals and DPP at a time when the country is facing increasing numbers of asylum seekers, following neighboring Sweden’s recent move to impose border controls.
“Should the EU decide even more over Denmark or should we be masters of our own house?” DPP leader Kristian Thulesen Dahl asked earlier this week.
The result of the Danish vote could have implications for British Prime Minister David Cameron as he seeks to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the EU.
Denmark voting against further European integration could strengthen Mr. Cameron’s negotiating hand, since he could use the Danish referendum to show the U.K. isn’t the only country with major concerns about the EU and that other European populations are weary about further integration.
Mr. Cameron is due to discuss his renegotiation with other EU leaders at a summit in Brussels later this month, where officials are expecting substantive talks on the British leader’s demands for change. The referendum on whether the U.K. should stay or leave could happen as soon as next year.
