Danes say no to euro

Time to celebrate for euro opponents

The people of Denmark have voted to reject membership of the single European currency, raising the prospect of deeper divisions within the 15-nation Economic Union.

Euro vote

Nej: 53%

Ja: 47%

The Danish Prime Minister, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen - who had campaigned strongly for the euro during the referendum campaign - said the result was a defeat for him and his party.

The result, 53% to 47%, was a more pronounced victory for the "no" camp than opinion polls had forecast in the run-up to the vote.

The margin means that Danish voters have gone against the wishes of all the main political parties as well as the country's business leaders and trade unions.

European development

Democracy has spoke, our people have spoken. We will respect the result

Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen

But Mr Rasmussen said the vote did not mean that Denmark had turned its back on Europe. He said it would continue to play its full part in the future development of the European Community.

The single currency has been adopted by 11 countries in the European Union - but Denmark is the first to allow a popular vote on the issue.

The BBC's Janet Barrie in Copenhagen says it is clear that the referendum was about far more than purely economic issues.

The prime minister made an emotional address to the nation

She says that for many this was a protest vote against the country's politicians and the direction of European political integration.

Impact on members

There had been fears that a no vote would offer encouragement to opponents to monetary union in Sweden and Britain, the two other countries still outside the euro-zone.

But the prime ministers of both countries played down the potential impact on future votes in their countries.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said Denmark's decision did not change his country's own position on entering the euro.

YES supporters

Euro will protect economy

It will remove currency swings

It will boost Denmark's influence in EU

The Swedish leader, Prime Minister Goran Persson, said: "It's obvious that the result of the Danish referendum on the euro will have an influence on the domestic debate in Sweden."

Two-tier Europe

Danish Finance Minister Mogens Lykketoft said it could take four or five years to reverse the result.

He said it could have repercussions far beyond Denmark, possibly ushering in a two-tier Europe, split between those on the inside of the euro zone and those outside.

The leader of the far-right, anti-Euro Danish People's Party, Pia Kjaersgaard, described the outcome as a great victory.

NO supporters

Erosion of sovereignty

Increase European bureaucracy

Welfare cutbacks

"This victory is a victory for Danes' wish to defend democracy, self-determination and the country's sovereignty," she said.

In Brussels, the capital of the European Union, the European Commission said it regretted Denmark's decision.

Commission President Romano Prodi said he believed an affirmative vote would have been in the common interest of member states.