The Danish parliament is being recalled during the summer recess in a rare move to discuss the migration crisis in Ceuta.
In a move considered rare in Danish political life, the Danish parliament (Folketing) is preparing to hold an emergency session on August 12, despite its summer vacation which usually extends until October, to discuss the repercussions of the large influx of migrants to the Spanish city of Ceuta and its potential impact on the security of European borders and the Schengen area.
The call came after opposition parties belonging to what is known as the ”Blue Bloc” submitted a formal request to hold an urgent session, at the initiative of the leader of the Danish People’s Party, Morten Messerschmitt, who considered that what is happening in Ceuta represents “the biggest threat that Europe and Denmark have witnessed so far.”.
Messerschmitt said the recent wave of migration showed how fragile the Schengen system is, adding that “what we witnessed a few days ago in Ceuta shows how fragile the entire Schengen system is. If a country chooses to pursue an irresponsible foreign policy, it could destabilize the entire continent and bring us back to a situation similar to what happened in 2015.”.
According to the request submitted, the opposition parties wish to question the government about the potential repercussions of the crisis on cooperation within the Schengen Area, as well as to know what measures Denmark is preparing to take to protect its borders if circumstances require it.
The request is signed by the Liberal Party (Venstre), the Liberal Alliance, the Conservative Party, the Danish Democrats, and the Danish People's Party, parties which together hold 72 seats in parliament.
The convening of this session is based on Article 39 of the Danish Constitution, which states that the Speaker of Parliament is obliged to call for a meeting if the Prime Minister or at least one-fifth of the members of Parliament, i.e. 72 deputies, submit a written request to that effect, even if Parliament is in recess.
Although the constitution allows for this measure, its use remains extremely rare, and is usually limited to major crises or urgent legislative necessities.
One of the most notable precedents that witnessed the summoning of Parliament outside its usual agenda was the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when Parliament held several extraordinary sessions to pass emergency laws, economic support packages and health measures to confront the spread of the pandemic.
Denmark also witnessed similar cases during the election campaigns of 1981, 1983 and 1990, when members of parliament were called upon to pass temporary funding laws to ensure the continued operation of state institutions during the election period.
However, summoning Parliament during the summer recess to discuss a foreign political or security issue, apart from a constitutional crisis or urgent legislative necessity, is extremely exceptional, which explains why the Danish media described this session as a “very unusual” step.
The session is scheduled to take place on the morning of August 12, where MPs will discuss the repercussions of the recent migration crisis to Ceuta, its potential impact on European border security, the future of cooperation in the Schengen area, and Denmark's readiness to deal with any developments that may necessitate tightening its border procedures.
