To stay in the European Union, Denmark negotiated four opt-outs from the EU treaty in 1992 – defense; justice; euro, and EU citizenship. Since then, many prime ministers have attempted to remove the opt-outs, in order to bring Denmark closer to the European Union. Mette Frederiksen, is the first prime minister in 30 years, that manages to remove an opt-out (defense) by winning a referendum. N.B! An opt-out means that Denmark doesn’t participate in EU cooperation in that field.
- In 2015, a referendum to remove the justice opt-out failed, as the “No” side won.
- In 2000, a referendum to remove the euro opt-out failed, as the “No” side won
- Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, said that there will not be another referendum on the other opt-outs during her mandate.
