The sitting government sets the direction for Denmark’s EU policy. Parties outside government, however, still take part in negotiations about the overall guidelines for future EU policy making.

The parties in parliament determine the course of Danish EU policy by entering into an agreement called a settlement. In order for a Danish policy about the EU to change, all parties who crafted the original agreement must concur. If the parties are in dispute about a proposed change this change cannot take place until after a parliamentary election.

Two fundamental agreements about Danish EU policy

Opt-outs

In December of 2014, the Social Democratic Party, the Danish Social Liberal Party, the Socialist People’s Party, Venstre, and the Conservative People’s Party made an agreement to hold a referendum about the justice and home affairs opt-out.

The Lisbon Treaty

In 2008, Venstre, the Conservative People’s Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Socialist People’s Party, the Danish Social Liberal Party, and the New Alliance made an agreement about the Danish Parliament’s accession to the Lisbon Treaty.