Statements like “It doesn’t matter who you vote for” and “They all say the same thing anyway” are often heard in relation to the upcoming European Parliament elections. However, in the case of the Social Democrats and Venstre, the candidate makes a difference, at least regarding the financing of a potential new Øresund connection to supplement the existing one.
While MEP Marianne Vind from the Social Democrats and MEP Asger Christensen from Venstre expressed support for EU co-financing of an additional Øresund connection just over a month ago here in FemernReport, the message from Christel Schaldemose and Ulla Tørnæs from the same parties is the opposite.
There is already a bridge
At a voter meeting in Nykøbing Falster on Tuesday, we asked the two candidates what they thought about the Swedish desire for redundancy on the fixed rail link to the continent. Despite the party difference, the two candidates were in agreement that the Swedes should pay for it themselves:
– We should not prioritize it now. If Sweden wants an extra connection to Denmark, they have to finance it themselves. There is already a bridge, and there are ferries to the continent,” says Christel Schaldemose (Social Democrats).
Support infrastructure where it is lacking
– EU should prioritize supporting infrastructure where it is lacking. And the EU has already co-financed the Fehmarn Belt tunnel for the TEN-T corridor (from Scandinavia to Southern Europe, ed.), says Ulla Tørnæs (Venstre).
Both candidates agree that the tense situation with the war in Ukraine is the absolute top priority for the EU.
Security policy trumps infrastructure
So, does security policy trump infrastructure?
– Yes, they both almost say in unison.
The Swedish argument, otherwise, is that infrastructure is security policy and that there is a need for a redundant Øresund connection for, for example, the transport of military equipment and troops?
– Yes, but we can’t solve that problem immediately. It takes at least twenty years before such a connection is ready. Just look at how long it took with the Fehmarn connection, says Ulla Tørnæs.
On this point, there is also complete agreement between the two candidates from two of Denmark’s governing parties:
– It is slow to get things through in the EU, explains Christel Schaldemose.
