 In what was to be Poul Nyrup Rasmussen s final appearance in the annual televised speech by the Danish Prime Minister, he once again speaks fondly of the welfare society and its historical roots. He talks about the excellent economical results achieved in Denmark under his leadership and goes on to elaborate on further challenges and specific policies: Health and life quality, the use of information technology the environment challenged by agricultural production, integration of immigrants, and the future of Denmark s bond with the EU following the no at the referendum to join the Euro in the fall of 2000.