Danish newspapers rue 'historical setback' of Brexit but also call for reflection
Opinion columns in major Danish newspapers have set forth their takes on the day of the United Kingdom’s official exit from the EU.
The UK’s exit is primarily seen as a sad event from the perspective of the Danish newspapers.
But Brexit is also cause for shake-up in the European alliance, others argued.
“We are going to miss our most annoying friends in the EU,” conservative daily Berlingske writes.
“The British have fought the same fight as the Danes for free trade and moderation over the use of taxpayers’ money,” the newspaper continues.
READ ALSO: Why Denmark is losing an EU 'big brother' with UK exit
“We must spend the coming years discussing the consequences and preparing ourselves to make the European cooperation more efficient and ensure it provides tangible benefits ro citizens. At the same time, we must work to tie the UK as close to the EU as possible,” Berlingske writes.
Centre-left daily Politiken calls the British exit a “historical setback”, while also pointing out the need for Europe to take stock.
“But Brexit is not just a crisis and a tragedy. It’s also the possibility of a new beginning, in which the remaining 27 countries shift closer together. But that will require political courage and revitalization from within,” the paper writes.
“Successive British governments were never able to formulate a long-term European policy. Whether we learn from the Brits’ mistake. May their exit be our occasion to step even more wholeheartedly into the European community. In which case, Brexit will have been good for something,” Politiken writes.
The editorial in centre-right Jyllands-Posten calls the withdrawal a “day of mourning” but also expected, given that “the United Kingdom’s relationship with the EU has been one big drama”.
“The British have pretty much had things exactly as they wanted. As much good as that did,” the column reads.
Financial daily Børsen points out the common value placed on free trade by the UK and Denmark alike.
“The United Kingdom and the Nordic countries have often acted as a counterbalance to the French-German axis in the EU. We are now losing a major and strong ally in Brussels,” the newspaper writes.
“There is much to thank each other for after 50 years’ close cooperation – and just like at New Year, it doesn’t all end just because we’re beginning a new phase of our friendship,” it adds.
READ ALSO: 'We have to keep calm and carry on': Brits in Denmark voice concern, look beyond Brexit
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The UK’s exit is primarily seen as a sad event from the perspective of the Danish newspapers.
But Brexit is also cause for shake-up in the European alliance, others argued.
“We are going to miss our most annoying friends in the EU,” conservative daily Berlingske writes.
“The British have fought the same fight as the Danes for free trade and moderation over the use of taxpayers’ money,” the newspaper continues.
READ ALSO: Why Denmark is losing an EU 'big brother' with UK exit
“We must spend the coming years discussing the consequences and preparing ourselves to make the European cooperation more efficient and ensure it provides tangible benefits ro citizens. At the same time, we must work to tie the UK as close to the EU as possible,” Berlingske writes.
Centre-left daily Politiken calls the British exit a “historical setback”, while also pointing out the need for Europe to take stock.
“But Brexit is not just a crisis and a tragedy. It’s also the possibility of a new beginning, in which the remaining 27 countries shift closer together. But that will require political courage and revitalization from within,” the paper writes.
“Successive British governments were never able to formulate a long-term European policy. Whether we learn from the Brits’ mistake. May their exit be our occasion to step even more wholeheartedly into the European community. In which case, Brexit will have been good for something,” Politiken writes.
The editorial in centre-right Jyllands-Posten calls the withdrawal a “day of mourning” but also expected, given that “the United Kingdom’s relationship with the EU has been one big drama”.
“The British have pretty much had things exactly as they wanted. As much good as that did,” the column reads.
Financial daily Børsen points out the common value placed on free trade by the UK and Denmark alike.
“The United Kingdom and the Nordic countries have often acted as a counterbalance to the French-German axis in the EU. We are now losing a major and strong ally in Brussels,” the newspaper writes.
“There is much to thank each other for after 50 years’ close cooperation – and just like at New Year, it doesn’t all end just because we’re beginning a new phase of our friendship,” it adds.
READ ALSO: 'We have to keep calm and carry on': Brits in Denmark voice concern, look beyond Brexit
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