Denmark has never been just one story.

Last Week in Denmark (29.03-05.04) Episode 12 Year 6

What did we learn this week?

1. Days after elections, two members of Parliament were expelled from their parties, triggering a debate about candidate screening.

2. According to a new member of Parliament, only people with “Danish genes” can be called Danish.

3. Public shelters in nature see historic use, birdwatching is on the rise, and summer houses rarely go up for sale.

Letter from the editor

“A cat does not become a horse just because it is born in a horse stable” Nadja Isaksen, Member of the Danish Parliament.

Happy Easter to those celebrating, and well, happy vacation time for the rest of us.

As spring arrives and the days get longer, there is a sense of a fresh start. A shift in mood. Maybe even a bit of hope. It feels like the perfect time to focus on building community and spreading joy, and not to focus on people like the newly elected member of Parliament, Nadja Isaksen, who recently decided to give voice to what can only be described as a “genetic theory” of belonging, arguing that one cannot become Danish unless they inherit it through blood.

To see someone with these views elected into Parliament raises uncomfortable questions about democracy and participation in a country that often prides itself on being among the strongest in the world. This is not new to me. During the local election campaign, she targeted me directly, posting pictures of my posters and questioning my role in politics simply because I am not, in her view, Danish.

What makes it even more striking is that her own background is far from the narrow definition she promotes. With roots in multiple countries, she herself does not fit the standard she tries to impose on others. Yet her public communication consistently focuses on who looks or feels “Danish enough.” Scientists have a saying for this kind of thinking: Biological Racism.

I am not claiming to be Danish. I am European, and that is enough for me. But for many people, it matters deeply to be able to call themselves Danish and to be seen that way. We do not have the right to deny that. Identity is not a fixed box. It is layered, evolving, and often shaped by the places we live and the people around us.

Have I adopted Danish values? Of course. Anyone who spends enough time in a society will absorb parts of it, whether they intend to or not. At the same time, I carry values and traditions from other cultures I have lived in or been exposed to. And I continue to be curious, always open to learning from different ways of living and thinking.

In international forums where I have represented Denmark, I was often perceived as Danish, and I accepted that role, even if internally I felt more connected to Aalborg (proudly calling it Paris of the North, whenever I had the chance). Yet in those same spaces, when I met other Romanians representing different countries, I naturally returned to that part of my identity.

Culture is a human construct. It is shaped and reshaped by people over time. It is not static, and it is not owned by anyone.

In the end, this is not about one politician or one statement. It is about what kind of country we want to live in: a place where belonging is limited by blood, or one where people can grow into it over time? Denmark has never been just one story. It has always been shaped by the people who choose to be here.

P.S. No updates on the government formation. The ball right now is with Moderaterne (Social Liberals) who insist on a government across the middle.

Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!

Narcis George Matache, Executive Editor, LWID

Our long-form articles this week…

1. The law proposal that will limit international students’ options in Denmark, by Ahmet Akkoç.

2. Furnish your apartment for free at your local genbrug, by Daniel Sfita.

3. A Political Request: Fairer taxes for internationals, by Juan Álvarez.

4. Decoding reality at CPH.DOX 2026, by Daniel Sfita.

Want to dig deeper into the latest news? Check out the Last Week in Denmark podcast. New episodes drop on all podcast apps and YouTube every Wednesday. Follow us now so you don’t miss it.

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Image(s) of the Week

📸 A house in Aarhus known as “maybe Denmark’s strangest” is now for sale. Built with crooked walls, tilted windows, and a keyhole-shaped layout, it was designed to “look like a human.” Take a look.

Danish Politics HQ

Political scene

🏛️ New MP keeps three political roles after sudden expulsion from party. Cecilie Liv Hansen made headlines by holding seats at municipal, regional, and national level at the same time, a rare “triple mandate” that gives her 1.7 million DKK per year. Only a few days after the elections, she was expelled from Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservative) due to revelations about her partner’s involvement in illegal drug sales, which the party said damaged trust and credibility. She remains in all three positions as an independent.

🏛️ Borgernes Parti (far-right) lost one of its four seats just days after the election as newly elected MP Jacob Harris was expelled over allegations linked to a bankrupt company. Harris had already gone on leave after reports that a bankruptcy trustee wanted police to investigate possible financial misconduct, which he denies. The party says he broke its declaration of trust and failed to give truthful information, while Harris accuses leader Lars Boje Mathiesen of first backing him, then pressuring him to quit. He now plans to stay in Parliament as an independent.

🏛️ Another Borgernes Parti MP is under scrutiny after questions emerged about both her CV and political past. Emilie Schytte Pedersen, elected with just 533 personal votes, claimed on her CV to have taught AI at Roskilde University for two years, but the university says she was only a teaching assistant on one course for three months. New reporting also says she was previously on her way out of Liberal Alliance after internal conflicts before switching to Borgernes Parti, while older stories about her unusual art project and self-presentation continue to attract attention.

🏛️ A fresh row in Parliament has put Borgernes Parti (Anti-Establishment) under even more pressure after Nadja Natalie Isaksen said Samira Nawa of Radikale (Social Liberal) is not really Danish, despite her citizenship and upbringing in Denmark. The comment triggered a strong backlash across party lines, with politicians across the spectrum publicly defending Nawa and calling the statement racist, or simply unacceptable. Borgernes Parti leader Lars Boje Mathiesen backed his MP and argued that citizenship does not automatically make someone Danish in a cultural sense, but the fallout has widened the split inside the blue bloc (right-wing) and added another controversy to the party’s chaotic first week in Parliament.

🏛️ Pressure is growing inside Venstre (Liberals) to join a government with Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) despite leadership resistance. While party leader Troels Lund Poulsen has ruled out another S-led coalition, many local members argue that governing with Social Democrats is the best way to maintain influence, even if it costs votes. Around half of surveyed party representatives support this option, citing responsibility in uncertain times.

📱 European Union stops scanning private messages for child abuse material after vote against extension. Tech companies can no longer scan messages in Europe under a temporary scheme, as lawmakers rejected prolonging it. Child protection groups warn this will make it harder to detect abuse and help victims, while critics say the system risked mass surveillance of private communication.

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Daily Life in Denmark HQ

🛰️ Danish student-built satellite launched into space for climate research. A small satellite developed by students from three universities was successfully launched with a SpaceX rocket and will now begin sending data from orbit. The satellite will capture 3D images of glaciers in the Arctic and Greenland to help researchers track climate change and temperature differences. Around 70 students contributed to the project.

🌲 More people chose nature over comfort despite the coldest winter in 16 years. A record 11,700 overnight stays were booked in public shelters around Copenhagen this winter, more than 2,000 higher than last year, even as temperatures dropped significantly. Many urban residents are increasingly seeking nature for calm and a break from city life, with shelters now used year-round. The growing demand means spots are often fully booked, showing a clear shift towards outdoor experiences regardless of the season.

🐦 Birdwatching is booming as more people turn to nature for connection and meaning. Thousands across the country are taking up birding, supported by large online communities and easy access to migration hotspots like Skagen and Amager. For many, it offers both a social activity and a deeper way to understand nature, though growing popularity also raises concerns about disturbing wildlife.

🪨 Retired archaeologist searches West Jutland for evidence that could rewrite Denmark’s history. A former archaeologist is spending his retirement scanning fields for signs of Neanderthals, believing humans may have lived here far earlier than the current estimate of 14–15,000 years. If proven, it could push the timeline back up to 100,000 years or more, though no evidence has been found yet. Despite health challenges, he continues the search, driven by decades of research and personal conviction.

🪑 Iconic Danish designer Hans J. Wegner gets his own museum in Tønder. A new museum dedicated to the world-famous furniture designer has opened in his hometown, showcasing hundreds of his chairs and other designs. Wegner’s work is internationally recognized and played a key role in shaping modern Danish design, with pieces used in historic events like the Kennedy-Nixon debate. The museum aims to attract visitors from around the world and strengthen Tønder as a cultural destination.

🍺 Hobby brewers can no longer enter beer competitions without registering as businesses. Authorities have clarified that homemade beer can only be shared privately with friends and family, and participating in public competitions requires a CVR number. The rule is not new but is now being enforced more strictly, affecting popular events like DM in Håndbryg. Industry groups warn this could limit innovation and make it harder for hobby brewers to transition into professional microbreweries.

🥕 Commercial food waste has dropped significantly, even as demand for donated food remains high. The amount of surplus food collected by charities has nearly halved over the past ten years, as supermarkets improve stock management and discount hard-to-sell items more effectively. At the same time, more people are willing to buy discounted food close to expiry, partly due to rising prices. While less food is wasted overall, there is a cost, as organizations rely on donations to distribute large quantities during holidays like Easter.

📱 Consumer and child protection groups warn against using popular video app CapCut over data concerns. Red Barnet, Børns Vilkår and Forbrugerrådet Tænk have filed a complaint, saying users may unknowingly give the app broad rights to use their content, including for AI training and marketing. Experts worry this could expose children’s data or even allow reconstruction of images or voices. The case is now with the Data Protection Authority.

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Danish Economics HQ

Our money

⛽ Fuel taxes could be lowered quickly even without a new government in place. As rising oil prices push up costs at the pump, several countries are already cutting fuel taxes, and experts say the Danish parliament could do the same if there is political agreement. A proposal could be passed rapidly, even as government negotiations are ongoing, though it would be an unusual move. For now, no decision has been made, but the option is on the table.

State of the markets

🛒 Cheaper groceries in Sweden may not always mean real savings for Danish shoppers. Sweden has cut food VAT to 6%, making many products noticeably cheaper than in Denmark, but travel costs can quickly cancel out the benefit. A typical trip across the Øresund Bridge can cost 400 to 700 DKK, meaning you need to shop for large amounts to break even. For most people, cross-border shopping only pays off for bigger purchases, while smaller trips may end up costing more overall.

🏡 Summer house prices hit record highs as supply drops across the country. Fewer than 5,000 holiday homes are currently for sale, far below normal levels, while demand continues to rise, pushing prices above even the pandemic peak. Buyers now face fast-moving deals and bidding competition, with homes selling quickly across all regions. The trend reflects a growing desire for lifestyle investments, but makes it harder to enter the market unless you are ready to act fast.

• The number of summer houses has increased by less than 1% in five years, despite record tourism and growing interest in holiday rentals.

👉Read more: What is it with Danes and their Summerhouses? By Sigga Hansen.

⚡ Vestas to cut around 440 jobs at Lindø after scaling down production needs. The layoffs will mainly affect night and weekend shifts as the company adjusts after a period of expansion, with management saying staffing must now match current demand. Local officials in Kerteminde warn of serious impacts, as many workers live in the area and may need support to find new jobs or retrain. Vestas says it will try to relocate some employees within Denmark.

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Denmark in Global Headlines

📍 “Dispute escalates as Taiwan warns Denmark over ‘China’ label” – ScandAsia

🧭 “Denmark’s politics is all a bit chaotic right now — but Danes like it that way” – Monocle

💻 “Northern nations start to pull plug on US tech giants” – Bloomberg

🪤 “Denmark’s velvet trap has been exposed” – The Spectator

📉 “Denmark’s unique political model is in crisis” – The Guardian