1972 Danish European Communities membership referendum

A referendum on joining the European Economic Community was held in Denmark on 2 October 1972.[1] The result was 63.3% in favour with a turnout of 90.1%.[2] The law that Denmark should be member of the EEC was passed on 11 October 1972, and Denmark became a member on 1 January 1973.[3]

1972 Danish European Communities membership referendum
2 October 1972
Should Denmark join the European Economic Community?
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 1,958,043 63.29%
No 1,135,755 36.71%
Valid votes 3,093,798 99.38%
Invalid or blank votes 19,323 0.62%
Total votes 3,113,121 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 3,453,763 90.14%
Results by nomination district and constituency
Yes:      50–55%      55–60%      60–65%      65–70%      70%+
No:      50–55%      55–60%      60–65%      65–70%      70%+
Politics of Denmark
Constitution
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Related topics

Background

According to Article 20, section 2 of the Danish constitution, any law that makes limitations to the sovereignty of the Danish state (as membership of the EEC would) must be passed in the Danish parliament with 5/6 of the parliament's members voting for the law.[4] If a majority of members vote for the law, but not by 5/6 majority, and the government wishes to uphold the suggested law, the law can still be passed in a public referendum, as was the case in the 1972 referendum.[4]

According to a 2022 study, municipalities that experienced more German-inflicted violence during the German occupation of Denmark in WWII were more likely to vote against joining the EEC.[5]

Results
Choice Votes %
For1,958,04363.3
Against1,135,75536.7
Invalid/blank votes19,323–
Total3,113,121100
Registered voters/turnout3,453,76390.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References
  1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p524 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. Nohlen & Stöver, p534
  3. Danmarkshistorien: Ja til EF 1972 Archived 2007-06-10 at the Wayback Machine Ministry of Education of Denmark (in Danish)
  4. English version of the Danish constitution Archived February 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Aaskoven, Lasse (2022). "Foreign Occupation and Support for International Cooperation: Evidence from Denmark". World Politics. 74 (2): 285–325. doi:10.1017/S004388712200003X. ISSN 0043-8871. S2CID 248267466.


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