Copenhagen - As the Danish government mulls a possible referendum date on Denmark's opt-outs from the European Union, a new survey published Monday suggested a dead heat over introducing the joint European currency, the euro.

A Gallup poll commissioned by the Berlingske Tidende newspaper indicated that 47 per cent of voters want to introduce the euro while 45 per cent were against replacing the krone.

Just two weeks ago a similar poll indicated 52 per cent favoured introducing the euro while 40 per cent were against, the daily said.

In a key speech last week, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Denmark was "harmed" by the opt-outs and the government was considering a referendum.

Euro-sceptics including the populist Danish People's Party that backs Rasmussen's minority government on many other issues urged the premier to scrap plans for a referendum on the euro.

So did the opposition Socialist People's Party.

Denmark joined the EU in 1973, but obtained opt-outs that include security and defence policy, justice and home affairs and the euro after voters initially rejected the Maastricht Treaty in a 1992 referendum.

Parliament recently ratified the Lisbon Treaty, and leading cabinet members have said it was time to drop the opt-outs since they gave Denmark less say in the 27-nation bloc. (dpa)