Brussels – Once upon a time, there was the ‘New Hanseatic League‘, and Copenhagen was the queen of the frugal in Europe, of the efficient and thrifty countries, opposed to any significant increase in the EU budget, to which they are ‘net contributors’. But that is no longer the case: Denmark says goodbye to Austria, Sweden, and the Netherlands—plus Finland and the Baltic states—and jumps on the bandwagon of those who want to widen the bloc’s strict spending limits. “Being part of the Frugal Four is no longer the right place for us,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen today. The reason is quickly stated: the need to ‘rearm Europe’.
In the midst of the work on the new long-term budget of the Union for the period 2028-2035 (the Commission’s proposal is expected in July), Frederiksen’s historic turnaround is even more significant. Denmark is indeed preparing to take over the reins of the Council of the European Union, which it will lead until the end of the year. It will therefore be the Danish presidency that will seek agreement among the member states on the size and distribution of the budget proposed by the executive.
In a press conference together with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament—the other institution that will have to give the green light to the Union’s multiannual budget—Frederiksen made it clear: ”
Last time, we had a leading role in the Frugal Four. Next time, we’ll have a leading role in another group, because things have changed and the world is changing rapidly. And we have to find the right answers to all these challenges in front of us.”
When the term ‘frugal’ was last coined, it was in 2019. Europe had yet to experience the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the Russian threat, the energy crisis, and Washington’s trade blackmail. Now, Frederiksen is convinced that “the most important thing is to rearm Europe.” And Denmark is ready to break the taboo of economic rigour, as evidenced by the fact that it is already one of 16 countries that have requested the activation of the Stability Pact’s national safeguard clause to increase its military expenditure.
The need to protect ourselves in an increasingly assertive—and aggressive—geopolitical environment “is the starting point and conclusion of all discussions,” the Social Democratic leader added. This means that “all other priorities and principles must be addressed after we have made the necessary decisions on how to rearm.” Less frugal, but not less careful and strict: Frederiksen warned that “We will always be tough in the budget negotiations. We do not want money to be spent unnecessarily, on things that are not necessary for Europe.”
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
