DEFENCE SPENDING (2)

They have been putting it off for some time, but now Danish politicians have to decide exactly which military bases they are going to close, in order to achieve the Dkr.2.7 billion of savings in the defence budget to which they have already signed up.

The Chief of Staff has recommended the closure of barracks in Fredericia, Haderslev and Sønderborg (all in southern Jutland) and on the island of Bornholm, plus one on Zealand, either Vordingborg or in the neighbourhood of Copenhagen. The latter is likely to escape, since it services the life guards who in turn support the monarchy. Probably sensible militarily, but it hands the politicians a hot potato. Because all of the bases scheduled for closure are in "udkants" (out-in-the-sticks) Denmark, which already had the view that people in the big city were ignoring it, and which now has the evidence to prove it.

And so there has been a stream of local politicians taking the train up to Copenhagen, armed with economic arguments about how important military bases are to the local community (true) and long lists of signatures supporting their staying open. Whether it will have any immediate effect is a moot point. However, whatever the Government decides, there will be a reaction in November. There are local elections then.

Walter Blotscher