Danes lean to the left amid concern for economic security

Nationalistic outlook wanes as global crisis hits Danish economy

European Union issues are taking a back-seat in Denmark's election campaign as voters focus their concerns on the economy and the future of the country's cherished welfare state.

European integration – and notably Denmark's membership of the EU – has traditionally been a sensitive issue for Danish politicians. But issues such as immigration, Denmark's dispute with the European Commission over border controls, membership of the eurozone and Denmark's opt-outs from the EU – closer co-operation over justice and home affairs, and defence – have had little play in this campaign.

Mads Lundby Hansen, from the Centre for Political Studies (CEPOS), a Copenhagen-based think-tank, says that EU issues have been overshadowed by economic issues. Most parties, he said, were focused on promoting their plans for jobs and reducing the deficit.

A stable majority of Danes – 70% according to a Commission survey in May – see EU membership as beneficial. The two biggest parties, the Liberals and the Social Democrats, hardly disagree on Denmark's place within the EU. Instead, both have focused campaigning on how they will manage budget cuts without damaging health or education.

The only party that has tried to make the EU an issue has been the populist right-wing Danish People's Party, which is desperate to keep the current Liberal-Conservative minority coalition government in power. So far, however, it has had little impact.

EU presidency

Whichever party wins the 15 September election, the new government will certainly seek to repair damage to Denmark's image within the EU inflicted by the border dispute before it assumes the six-month presidency of the EU's Council of Ministers on 1 January 2012. The Social Democrats have already signalled they would reverse parts of the new border checks, notably the plan to construct new border installations.

Lars Andersen, from the Economic Council of the Labour Movement (ECLM), a Copenhagen-based think-tank, says that a centre-left coalition government would end what he said has been “a very nationalistic” outlook on EU policies by the Danish government over the past decade.

Recent polls have revealed slight rises in support for EU membership and the euro, but political parties have backed away from holding any referendum on joining the single currency or scrapping opt-outs anytime soon.

The top priority of the Danish presidency is expected to be the task of persuading member states to agree the 2014-20 EU spending programme, or multiannual financial framework (MFF).

Constant Brand