Danes reject EU justice rules in referendum

In a referendum held in Denmark on the 3 December 2015 to replace its opt-out on EU justice and home affairs with an 'opt-in' model, the 'No' side received 53.1% of votes, while the 'Yes' camp received 46.9%. Voter turnout was 72%.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said 'It is a clear no' and adding that he had 'full respect' for the voters' decision.

The decision will have considerable implications. In particular, Denmark will have to negotiate a special agreement to stay inside Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency which tackles organised crime and terrorism.

European Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas wrote on the 11 December 2015 after a meeting between the Danish Prime Minister and European Commission President that 'The Commission President informed the prime minister that with this result in the referendum, it will be impossible for Denmark to cooperate fully as part of Europol. They will ask experts to look into a limited cooperation that is politically and legally possible. They underlined that this will be a difficult proces which will take a lot of time'.

• Primary Source

Jyllands-Posten, 04.12.15: No wonder Danes voted against EU (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE174347-No-wonder-Danes-voted-against-EU

ESO: Background information: Uncertainty ahead of Danish EU opt-out vote http://www.europeansources.info/record/uncertainty-ahead-of-danish-eu-opt-out-vote/

EurActiv, 04.12.15: Denmark rejects further EU integration in referendum http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/denmark-rejects-further-eu-integration-referendum-320111

EUObserver, 04.12.15: Denmark says No to more EU, casts shadow on UK vote https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/131380

Politico, 03.12.15: Danes say No to EU justice rules http://www.politico.eu/article/danes-say-no-to-eu-justice-rules-migration-rasmussen-dpp/

ESO: Background information: Denmark to hold EU referendum in December http://www.europeansources.info/record/denmark-to-hold-eu-referendum-in-december/

BBC News, 04.12.15: Denmark votes No on adopting EU rules http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35002158

The Guardian, 03.12.15: Danes reject greater cooperation with EU on cross-border policing http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/03/danes-reject-greater-cooperation-with-eu-on-cross-border-policing-referendum

The Local.dk, 04.12.15: Five burning questions after Denmark’s EU 'no' http://www.thelocal.dk/20151204/five-burning-questions-after-denmarks-no-to-eu

Politico, 04.12.15: How Denmark reacted to the No vote http://www.politico.eu/article/danish-newspapers-middle-finger-to-the-eu-referendum-justice-rules/

EurActiv, 11.12.15: Denmark cannot remain full Europol member after referendum http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/denmark-cannot-remain-full-europol-member-after-referendum-320373

The Local.dk, 11.12.15: Full Europol participation ‘not possible’: Danish PM http://www.thelocal.dk/20151211/denmarks-full-participation-in-europol-not-possible-pm

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