Danish referendum about the EU-constitution cancelled
By Kommunistisk Politik International
July 7th 2005
A direct consequence of the historich French and Dutch No to the EU-constitution has been the postponement for an undefined period of the Danish referendum, planned for September 27 th , and several other planned referendums in a number of countries. This follows the infamous meeting of the European Council in Bruxelles where it was decided to postpone the process of ratification for a year.
The Danish Yes-parties – the government AND the social democratic-liberal ‘opposition' – swore after the French NON that the referendum would take place anyway – totally disrespectful of the fact that the constitution falls, when one country says no.
But the French and the Dutch NO revived the popular resistance – and the eager Yes-parties had to face the fact, that they would loose the referendum. It would become a resounding third Danish No. After the decision of Tony Blair to postpone the British referendum and the ‘decision' of the EU leaders in Bruxelles to ‘make a break to think', the ultraright Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen decided to cancel the referendum.
In a commentary the chairman of The Workers' Communist Party of Denmark APK Dorte Grenaa said: - The decision to cancel the referendum is a victory for both the Danish resistance against the European Union and for the No-forces all over Europe . There is however no reason to believe that the neoliberal course of the European Union toward an imperialist superpower has been stopped. The popular movements against the constitution and the Union must continue their struggle to reveal their reactionary, anti-popular and imperialist nature, but from a much stronger position. In Denmark as well as on an all-union scale. - There exist a very good opportunity to consolidate and strengthen the solidary and internationalist No of the working class and the left by building a strong and coordinated movement all across the European Union. This project of the European monopolies finds itself in its deepest crises ever, and the anti-union forces are obliged to use this situation to strengthen both the struggle against the present neoliberal union and its future plans for even more of that.
During the chairmanship of Tony Blair for the rest of 2005 strong efforts will be carried out to promote neoliberal ‘reforms' in different areas. The struggle against this neoliberal agenda is a primary task of the workers and the popular movements against the EU.
The present Danish government is a staunch ally of Bush and Blair in both the neo-colonial war against Iraq and promoting neoliberal reforms at home. During a number of years the so-called Danish social model – the model of the Nordic Welfare State – has been rolled back, cancelling the achievements of the workers' struggles during decades. This includes the system of unemployment that has been reduced in period and in compensation and the system of social security in general – the latter reducing benefits under the pretext of ‘integration'. Also attacks on the system of pensions and early age pensions have been carried out or are planned, while the strong public sector in health and educations has been undermined and partly privatised.
When the Danish ‘social model' is promoted as an example and a step forward for the workers in the European Union there should be added two comments: This model does not exist any more – and the main reason that its remnants are advertised is the benefits that can be drawn for the capitalists. The Danish ‘model' includes a very flexible labour market. It is very easy to sack and hire the workers. There is usually no compensation around sackings, because the unemployment benefits covers a little bit less than the minimum wage. You can receive this for one year – the you are obliged to become activated in different projects working for the unemployment benefits for the next year and a half. If you don't find a job during this period you will be transferred to the very low social security benefits where you also have to work – but now at 60 percent of the minimum wage.
This system is loved by the Danish employers – and loathed by the workers
In a commentary the chairman of The Workers' Communist Party of Denmark APK Dorte Grenaa said: