Danish European Communities membership referendum, 1972

A referendum on joining the European Economic Community was held in Denmark on 2 October 1972.^[1] The result was 63.3% in favour with a turnout of 90.1%.^[2] The law that Denmark should be member of the EEC was passed on 11 October 1972, and Denmark became a member on 1 January 1973.^[3]

Background

According to Article 20, section 2 of the Danish constitution, any law that makes limitations to the sovereignty of the Danish state (as membership of the EEC would) must be passed in the Danish parliament with 5/6 of the parliament's members voting for the law.^[4] If a majority of members vote for the law, but not by 5/6 majority, and the government wishes to uphold the suggested law, the law can still be passed in a public referendum, as was the case in the 1972 referendum.^[4]

Results

Choice	Votes	%
For	1,958,043	63.3
Against	1,135,755	36.7
Invalid/blank votes	19,323	–
Total	3,113,121	100
Registered voters/turnout	3,453,763	90.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p524 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p534
3. Danmarkshistorien: Ja til EF 1972 Ministry of Education of Denmark (Danish)
4. English version of the Danish constitution