Denmark

Abstract

In almost all matters relating to the EU, Denmark is something of a special case, and in many ways, an extreme case. As we shall see, membership was for Denmark a ‘last resort’ option, to be taken up when no other alternative remained. This has led to a static and negative approach to her membership. Denmark has tended therefore to adopt a deliberately defensive, arms-length approach to the Community, seeking to prevent too much interpermeability, although a certain easing up was perceptible in the period between the ratification of the Single European Act and the Maastricht debate. Against this background, it is logical that the formal relations between the Folketing (the Danish Parliament) and the European Parliament (EP) have been kept to a minimum.

The author would like to thank the following people with whom interviews were carried out: Henning Grove (KF), Chairman of the MRC; Ivar Nørgaard (S), Vice-chairman of the MRC; Peder Juul Larsen, former Secretary of the MRC; Ove Fich (S), MEP from 1970–1988 and Member of the Folketing; Ejnar Hovgård Christiansen (S), MEP; and Henning Christoffersen (V), former Foreign Minister and European Commissioner.