Denmark: Danes say NO to Euro
"For the third time, the Danish people have made it clear that they do not wish to be part of the European Union", said the Communist Party in Denmark (KpiD) in a statement issued following a referendum on the Euro. The voting was 53.1 per cent against and 46.9 per cent in favour of adopting the Euro. "That means a Danish NO to the joint European currency, and a yes to our own currency, and thereby a yes to the possibility of a sovereign economic policy", said KpiD chair, Betty F Carlsson. The referendum campaign was extremely intense. The were numerous threats from the YES campaigners — the parties in government and the corporations — threats of higher interest rates leading to higher unemployment and an increase in rents. Their propaganda denied the threat EU-integration posed to Denmark's system of collective social rights financed through taxation. "The Danish people rejected the propaganda of terror, and voted for sovereignty and democracy", said Ms Carlsson. The Danish people's NO must now be recognised. This is the third time that the Danish people have said NO to EU integration. "In 1992, the NO from the Danish people to the Maastricht Treaty was a NO to the construction of the European Union, for which the Maastricht Treaty was the constitutional foundation. "In 1993, that NO was confirmed at the referendum on the 4 Danish exceptions from the Maastricht [Treaty], one of which was participation in the third phase of the Economic Union, the EMU", said the KpiD statement. "Now Danish politicians must recognise the message and act accordingly." The KpiD called for a new government programme, "which is consistent with the Danish people's position on the EU". "We now have the opportunity to discuss our problems and make our own decisions on the development we want for our country. "At the same time, the referendum will inspire other peoples of Europe, also fighting against the EU-development in their countries, with hope and strength", said the KpiD statement.