Denmark set to keep EU opt-out stance, poll

Stockholm (dpa) - Denmark appeared set to keep its two-decade-long opt-out system for EU justice and home affairs judging by a survey of opinion polls Wednesday, a day before the country holds a plebiscite on the issue.A poll of polls showed supporters of keeping the current system introduced in 1993 on 52.4 per cent, while the side favouring a new opt-in model were on 47.6 per cent, the online political journal Altinget reported."The no-side is ahead by some margin," said Copenhagen University professor Kasper Moller Hansen, who conducted the analysis for Altinget.He added that there could still be a swing amid last-minute attempts to persuade undecided voters.The opt-in proponents - a five-party alliance including Prime Minister Lokke Rasmussen‘s right-leaning Liberals and the main Social Democrat opposition - argue that the reform is necessary for Denmark to remain a partner in Europol, the European cross-border crime agency.If Denmark approves the changes, it would be able to use a case-by-case opt-in system, similar to that used by Ireland and Britain, Rasmussen and other "yes" supporters say.The current opt-out system has allowed Denmark to stay out of all supranational EU policy areas in home affairs and justice. However, following the 2009 Lisbon treaty, more EU cooperation is being transferred to a supranational level in reforms also affecting Europol.Under the Danish constitution, a referendum must be held on any draft legislation that transfers powers to supranational authorities.A late and lacklustre campaign - as well as the complexity of the issues - has left many voters undecided, observers said.A win for the opt-in campaign would also see Denmark adopt 22 existing EU legal acts, ranging from family law to commercial law.Opponents to the change include the left-leaning Unity List and the eurosceptic Danish People‘s Party who oppose giving up sovereignty.The Danish People‘s Party, known for its tough immigration stance, argues that an opt-in would mean that Denmark will eventually be forced to adopt EU refugee policies, despite claims to the contrary from the yes-side."Everything suggests that people‘s decisions are based on their general feelings to the EU and confidence in politicians, and that is not beneficial for the ‘yes‘ side," Altinget‘s political commentator Erik Holstein summed up.