In the Nordic countries, the primacy of parliament stands out as a common defining feature vis-à-vis other branches of government. In Denmark, which is the country in focus in this article, there has historically been a strong vision of parliamentary supremacy which is reflected in the current public debate on the ECJ. In the public sphere and in the Danish concept of democracy courts are regarded as a counter-majoritarian force. Drawing on previous research this paper argues that Denmark’s reluctance to collaborate with supranational courts like the ECJ is due to the country’s view of the Parliament as elevated above the other branches of government and the unfamiliarity with constitutional democracy.

Keywords: Danish Parliament, majoritarian democracy, judicial review, role of courts.