Torn between two lovers

Posters on both sides of the euro debate can be seen across Denmark

By Bo Mikael

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (CNN) -- Does anyone remember Barbi Benton? The actress, singer and Playboy playmate had a hit in the 1970s with the Mary MacGregor song, "Torn Between Two Lovers." The track was hugely popular in Denmark, and although it has been a while since it was last played on the radio, it has suddenly assumed a new relevance.

Everywhere you go in Denmark these days, you will find Danes quite literally living out the emotions of the song. In their case, however, the "two lovers" are not people, but rather opposing points of view: should they vote "yes" to joining the euro, or "no."

On Thursday, September 28, Danes will go to the polls for the fourth referendum in 10 years (and the sixth since 1972) on their commitment to the European Union. And as in all the other referendums, they are torn between two passions: on the one hand the urge to be a part of a strong Europe, and on the other the desire to be a part of a strong Denmark. It is this division of loyalties that has made every referendum so far an extremely close call, with a tense, suspense-filled election night. This one promises to be no different.

The Danes are a proud people, especially of their Danish identity. They have the world's oldest flag still in use -- the Dannebrog -- and one of Europe's oldest monarchies. They were European football champions in 1992, and, with cyclist Bjarne Riis, won the Tour de France in 1996. They have an innate sense of being small but powerful.

It is extremely hard for Danes, both the yes and no voters, to give up this feeling of independence. And that, ultimately, is what this referendum has come to focus on: independence. The sense of being able to do what you think is right rather than what everyone else tells you to do.

Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, former home of the royal family, now hosts the Folketing, the Danish Parliament

In an extremely civilized election campaign, both the yes and the no camps have dwelt on the independence issue. Those campaigning for a no vote have claimed that, by saying yes to the euro, Denmark will lose its independence.

The yes campaign, on the other hand, claims that by voting no Danes will lose their free will, since all the major European economic decisions that effect them will henceforth be taken without their participation.

The Danes are divided right down the middle, with both sides arguing they are protecting Danish influence and independence.

As someone who has lived in Denmark his whole life I understand exactly how the Danes feel, although as a German citizen I am not allowed to vote in the referendum. I am thus in the position of being able to observe the whole affair without actually becoming emotionally involved in it.

And what is most obvious to me as an observer is this deep craving for independence -- and the different ways in which each side has interpreted that concept.

It is really no wonder that so many Danes are still undecided on how to vote. And the decision has not been made any easier by the fact that none of the politicians, on either side of the argument, has given a clear, unbiased appraisal of the pros and cons of voting yes or no.

Decisions like this are made with either the head or the heart. Unfortunately none of the key politicians has provided the voters with sufficient information to make a decision that is at once both heartfelt and intelligent.

On the other hand, even if they did, Danish voters probably would not listen anyway. They are far too independent.

Bo Mikael is editor of CNN.com's Danish language site www.cnn.dk