Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

- In an article from 20 March 2011, it was asserted that the
claim that the ECJ frequently makes rulings with respect
for the sovereignty of member countries has no basis in
reality. The recent Zambrano ECJ ruling is a positive step
for families who have kept apart due to Danish immigration
legislation. This legislation dictated that Danish citizens
could not bring a foreign spouse into the country unless
stringent conditions were met leading to some Danes
moving to Sweden or Germany. 21
- Later on in June 2011 the media reported on criminal
gangs from Eastern Europe making the Danish people
fearful and as a result increasing number of Danes insist
they must be kept out of the country. Moreover, border
control prevents Denmark from being invaded by Germany
according to some who say Germany’s protests that
border control violates the spirit of the EU serves as evidence
that Germany has malicious plans. However, Denmark’s
prosperity is linked with open borders. Competition
and openness are the reasons why Denmark today is
a leading cultural and artistic nation. The policies of
present bourgeois-liberal government of Denmark are
not compatible with the desire for freedom that led to the
collapse of the Soviet Union. The author believes that the
next step of the government may be to leave the EU entirely
which would cause the krone’s value to free-fall and
eliminate Danish goodwill. 22
- The Danish government had enough votes to go ahead
with a plan for permanent border control, as reported on
16 June 2011. This move is said to send a message to the
rest of the EU about how “open” Denmark wants to be.
The Danish said the purpose of the border controls is to
“prevent eastern European gangs from wreaking havoc in
our country”. The permanent border controls are not
compatible with the Schengen Agreement, which guarantees
free movement of people and goods according to critics.
Denmark bowed to criticism with then Minister of
Finance Claus Frederiksen acknowledging that the border
plans had hurt Denmark’s image internationally.
- On 1 July 2011 it was reported that Denmark’s government
is planning to introduce permanent customs border
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