Denmark has rejected adopting EU rules on cross-border policing in a referendum that could have seen the country take closer ties with the bloc.
The country’s centre-right government had wanted to abandon some danish opt-outs from EU’s home affairs legislation.
But with all votes now counted, more than 53 per cent said no to the proposals.
The vote came weeks after the Paris attacks and as Europe struggles to deal with record numbers of migrants.
The government, backed by the opposition, had campaigned for yes, saying it would help danish authorities in the wake of the Paris attacks.
Unlike Denmark, the UK and Ireland have opt-ins on justice and home affairs legislation, which enabled them to choose whether to accept or reject legislation on a case-by-case basis.
The result of the referendum is likely to be of interest in Britain, whose government is trying to renegotiate its relations with the EU before holding a vote on whether to remain in the bloc.
