Denmark has overwhelmingly voted for a new defense agreement that grants the United States a wide range of powers on Danish soil, including unhindered access to Danish military bases.
The agreement, which has been heavily criticized by politicians and human rights experts, stipulates that US soldiers stationed in Denmark will be subject exclusively to US, not Danish, jurisdiction. It also allows the US military access to bases in three Danish cities – Karup, Skridstrup and Aalborg – and gives US soldiers and military police powers over Danish civilians, both inside and outside those locations, the Guardian reports.
If a US soldier commits a crime in Denmark, he will be held liable in the first instance under US, not Danish, law. The US will be able to conduct military activities in and out of Denmark, including stationing personnel, storing equipment, maintenance, training and military exercises.
Despite strained relations between the US and Denmark, particularly after Donald Trump attempted to buy Greenland, a strategically important part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and reports that US intelligence services have increased spying activities in the area, a majority of members of the Danish parliament (Folketinget) voted to approve the agreement. A total of 94 MPs voted in favor, while 11 voted against.
Shortly before the vote, the leader of the Unity List (Enhedslisten) party, Pele Dragsted, said that the agreement was harmful to the country.
"This is an agreement that means we will have territories in Denmark under American jurisdiction. Where the Danish authorities will not have control. Where there may be abuse of prisoners. This is a huge defeat for the Danish people," he said.
The agreement was signed back in December 2023 during the Joe Biden administration. However, after Trump's return to the White House, relations between Copenhagen and Washington have undergone significant changes.
Some politicians in Denmark believe that this agreement could mean surrendering some sovereignty and even be a violation of the Danish constitution. The Danish government denies this.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the current situation requires even stronger ties with the US.
"The problem is not an excessive American presence in Europe. On the contrary, the risk is that the US will withdraw, relocate troops or stop donating to Ukraine," she said.
Justice Minister Peter Humelgaard said at consultations on Tuesday that Danish authorities would have primary responsibility for security, both inside and outside the facilities covered by the agreement.
The Danish Institute for Human Rights warned that the agreement allows US soldiers to ban demonstrations in front of their bases, and that Denmark will not be able to prosecute them if they use excessive force.
"If the law is passed and US soldiers commit illegal acts in Denmark, it will be beyond the control of Denmark and beyond the reach of Danish justice," Peter Wedel Kessing, a senior researcher at the institute, told the Guardian in May.
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