Denmark's controversial border control (pushed by right wing populists) stalls

[pampango]

http://www.swedishwire.com/nordic/10225-denmarks-controversial-border-control-stalls-

Denmark's controversial plans to introduce permanent customs controls at its borders suffered a temporary setback Friday when a counter-proposal forced the government to put the matter to a full vote in parliament.

The plan, which has met heavy criticism both at home and abroad, had been set to easily pass through Denmark's parliamentary finance committee Friday, but a last-minute manoeuvre by the left-leaning opposition parties meant it could no longer pass without a debate and vote in parliament.

Denmark's centre-right government, which announced the plan last month under pressure from its far-right ally, the Danish People's Party, flatly rejected that notion Friday, but Finance Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen acknowledged it would be more difficult to pass the initiative through the full 179-seat house than the finance committee.

"What we are planning is fully within Schengen, and Denmark is a firm believer in open borders. What we have here is a customs effort, and only a customs effort," Foreign Minister Lene Espersen told AFP following a news conference. "The government will carefully ensure conformity with EU and Schengen law throughout the implementation phase," Espersen said.