Denmark has assumed the “top job” in the EU, taking over the presidency of the 27-strong bloc for the next six months.
War in Ukraine and the Middle East, the ongoing climate crisis, and global trade tensions are putting significant strain on the EU’s capacity to act.
Many say the EU is relatively powerless to make much impact in today’s world.
Even so, Denmark, a country known in the not-too-distant past for being Eurosceptic, has now assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU, taking on a central role in shaping the direction of the Union until the end of 2025.
It is the eighth time the small Nordic country has sat at the “top table” of the EU. Under the slogan ‘A STRONG EUROPE IN A CHANGING WORLD,’ the Danish presidency will focus on “ensuring a secure, competitive, and green Europe.”
The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, migration, defense, and EU enlargement will top the presidency’s agenda for the next six months.
Backed by a Socialist-led government, Denmark says it is committed to security and green innovation, and its keenly awaited presidency promises “bold leadership” on key progressive fronts, namely, accelerating the green transition, simplifying bureaucracy to support sustainable businesses, championing rule-of-law standards across the bloc, and advancing digital sovereignty and competitiveness.
Notably, the Danish government is doubling down on EU enlargement, especially for Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans, pushing merit-based integration “as a force for democratic resilience and continental solidarity.”
But this has done little to allay fears in some quarters that the EU will, regardless, press ahead with yet further expansion during the remainder of this year. With continuing concerns about immigration, it is an issue still close to the top of the EU agenda.
Danish MEP Anders Vistisen, who belongs to the right-wing Patriots for Europe political party, issued a stark warning against what he called the EU’s “blind rush” toward accepting new member states.
“We are talking about eight candidate countries with a combined population of more than 90 million people and an extra cost to European taxpayers of more than EUR 75 billion. This is not enlargement—it’s a ticking time bomb.”
Vistisen says that all the candidate countries—including Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, and Albania—fall “significantly short” of EU standards in critical areas such as governance, transparency, and economic stability.
“The EU must get its own house in order before adding new rooms. European taxpayers should not be forced to bankroll unstable, low-income countries that threaten our social cohesion.”
A fair share of youth engagement initiatives and cultural events were woven into the recent opening ceremonies of the Danish presidency in Aarhus.
This has prompted hopes, from Socialist Members of the European Parliament at least, that, under Denmark’s “progressive guidance,” the EU has a “real chance to combine energy independence, solidarity, and investments in security into a coherent, people-oriented agenda strengthening Europe’s position in the world.”
What is clear is that Denmark, the land of the Little Mermaid and Tivoli Gardens, is no longer the fierce Eurosceptic of old.
Politico says this is partly thanks to Donald Trump, whose ambitions of taking Greenland “one way or another” have “spooked people.”
Recent polls suggest the Danes now see their future firmly bound up with Europe. To underscore that point, 92 percent of respondents in a March poll published by the Berlingske newspaper agreed with the statement that Denmark needs to rely more on the EU than the U.S. for its security.
Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, the body representing EU member states, helped launch the Danish presidency, saying Denmark had shown “unwavering support to Ukraine from day one.”
It had, he notes, “set an example for strong leadership in Europe and to the world.”
Such leadership will certainly be called on in the coming weeks and months as the war in Ukraine continues to grind on.
Some have high expectations of the Danish presidency, while others, such as the ECR Group in the EU Parliament, have already issued a “wish list” of demands.
Reflecting on the Danish presidency’s program, recently presented to the European Parliament, the ECR group says that, on migration, it wants to see a “firmer and more realistic” approach, focusing on “stronger external border control, effective returns, and strategic partnerships with third countries.”
On Ukraine, it wants the presidency to reaffirm the European Union’s “steadfast commitment” to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-defense.
On security and defense, it seeks a major upgrade in member states’ defense spending, capability development, and cooperation “to ensure the EU possesses the strategic tools required to address evolving security threats.”
Outlining her EU presidency plans, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautions that the EU is facing the greatest international challenges the world has experienced since the 1940s, geopolitical and economic competition, and rising levels of conflict.
She says that Europe must take responsibility for its own security by investing more and strengthening its defense industry “so that by 2030 the EU will be able to defend itself.”
To face the military threat from Russia, Europe must also continue to support “Ukraine’s fight for peace and freedom.”
The Prime Minister stresses the EU’s support for Ukraine “is not charity” but also benefits the EU’s own defense. On migration, she said citizens expect Europe to find new solutions and stressed the need to strengthen the EU’s external borders, lower the influx of migrants, and make returns easier and more efficient.
Frederiksen adds that a competitive and green Europe is becoming a “top priority” for all as Europe falls behind globally. On the climate change and biodiversity crisis, she notes that Europe must continue pushing for a global green transition and that an ambitious EU 2040 climate target needs to be agreed quickly to show global leadership and predictability for companies.
On the EU’s next long-term budget, she is in favor of making it “more flexible, simplified, better equipped” to deal with unforeseen events, and more focused on EU political priorities.
Many MEPs welcome the focus of the Danish presidency on defense and competitiveness, agreeing that Europe must strengthen its defense industry and cooperation with its allies.
Center-right Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, says Denmark takes the EU steering wheel “at a time of war on our continent, global trade tensions, and economic pressure.”
Security, sustainability, and competitiveness are the right focus, she believes, adding that “from strengthening our defense to cutting red tape for business, from energy security to digital leadership—Europe must act.”
“I look forward to working with the Danish Presidency to deliver.”
The presidency’s slogan, ‘A strong Europe in a changing world,’ captures exactly what is needed, says Metsola, adding that Denmark is “well placed to lead Europe by example.”
So much for the politicians, but what does Europe’s business community expect from the Danes between now and the end of 2025?
The message is that, at a time of increasing global uncertainty, “unity and determined action to strengthen Europe’s economy are more urgent than ever.”
Fredrik Persson, president of BusinessEurope, the Brussels-based body representing the business world at the EU level, says it “counts on the presidency to foster the broad partnership needed to meet the historical challenges the EU is facing.”
The Swedish-born official wants the Danes and the EU to prioritize eight key actions during the next six months.
They include promoting an ambitious international trade policy, rapidly implementing the new Single Market Strategy, taking further measures to reduce energy costs, and delivering tangible simplification of regulatory requirements.
With many away on their annual vacation, the summer normally signals a period when the foot comes decidedly off the pedal in many EU countries.
But, with multiple wars still raging, fallout from the Trump tariffs, and miscellaneous other thorny urgent issues to face, one thing appears to be clear.
The in-tray for the new Danish presidency could be near to overflowing…even before the end of August.