Today’s news / Danish MEPs Favor Further EU Expansion
The top candidate from the left-wing party at the election to the EU Parliament, Morten Løkkegaard, is among the Danish politicians who want to expand the EU from 27 to perhaps 30 or more countries (Archive photo). Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix

Danish MEPs Favor Further EU Expansion

Celebrating the EU’s biggest expansion anniversary, most Danish MEPs are already looking to further enlarge the Union. Parties from SF to Venstre propose increasing the EU’s membership. Venstre’s Morten Løkkegaard advocates for the accession of Ukraine, Moldova, and North Macedonia, citing the Ukrainian war as a juncture necessitating their inclusion to avoid Russian domination. He opposes Turkey’s membership. The inclusion of Ukraine is estimated to cost EU members nearly 1400 billion kroner over seven years. Socialdemocrats’ Christel Schaldemose and Liberal Alliance’s Henrik Dahl support enlargement to foster democracy and counter Russian influence. To manage the challenges, the EU Commission suggests a ‘gradual integration’ for aspirants. SF’s Kira Marie Peter-Hansen insists on adherence to EU standards for new members, while Danish People’s Party’s Anders Vistisen resists expansion, pointing out the downsides experienced since 2004.