Last Week in Denmark (09.06-16.06) Episode 21 Year 4
The potential end of the regions; 2 billion DKK for entrepreneurship; The new members of the EU Parliament
Editor HQ
State of Denmark
The European Parliament elections are over and our newsletter is back to the “usual” format. We hope you have enjoyed our special editions, and to those who are not necessarily interested in the subject, thank you for your patience. For the last three editions before the month-long summer hiatus, we are dropping the Word of the Week, Quiz, EU Rights and Opportunities, and the Explainer/Call to Action, to have a shorter, more beach-ready newsletter.
Before the hiatus, we will ask for your feedback on the format and the content via a form published on the June 30th edition, so that during the break, we can tinker and come out with an even better newsletter. There will also be a new call for volunteers who can join us from August.
As for Denmark, there is a new queen in politics, and her name is Kira Marie Peter-Hansen. After making her entrance in 2019 as the youngest ever member of the European Parliament at 21 years old, she won the popular vote this time, giving SF (Socialists, part of European Greens) the top spot in Denmark’s EP elections for the first time. If you want to get to know her, check out our podcast in English here.
Europe is troubled and divided. While the liberals and the greens are losing support around the Continent, the far-right has significantly increased its presence in the European Parliament. For the first time, the European People’s Party can form a right-wing majority coalition. Most likely, it will not happen. We should find out at the end of July.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Paid sponsorship
We would like to offer our readers a little summer present. To help you better understand the nuances of Danish culture, we are hosting a free beginner-friendly Danish class in partnership with Sigga Hansen from Lingua Danica. The topics covered include the alphabet, genders and forms of nouns, and phrases to help you survive day-to-day conversations. The class will be held on 25th June, 6pm and you can register by using this link.
Danish Politics HQ
Weekly political overview
Alternativet (Greens) is the only party of the 11 that ran for the European Parliament and didn’t get a mandate. Due to the electoral alliance between Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats), SF (Socialists) and Alternativet, the green votes went to ensure that the social democrats will get a third mandate.
Socialdemokratiet had the worst election result in the history of the party and lost the throne as the most popular party to SF. In the last parliamentary election in 2022, the party obtained 27.2%, while this time it barely reached 15.6%. With local elections around the corner, the mayors and local candidates are getting increasingly nervous and want the party to change course before it’s too late.
While SF won over Socialdemokratiet, Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservatives) failed to win the battle of the “blue” parties with Venstre (Liberals). Although the opinion polls pointed towards two, or even three mandates, in the end, the party only managed to obtain 7% of the votes. It turns out, TikTok popularity doesn't translate into votes.
The mood in the government after the EU elections is different among the three parties. While Socialdemokratiet and Moderaterne (Social Liberals) see the results as a warning to the government to do better, Venstre is pleased, as they improved their performance since 2022 and managed to remain the most popular blue party.
Focus
Who are the 15 members of the European Parliament from Denmark?
3 mandates for SF (Socialists). Kira Marie Peter-Hansen - the youngest member of the European Parliament at the 2019 elections (21 years old); now the most voted candidate with 178,438 personal votes. Villy Søvndal - the oldest candidate ever from Denmark (71 years old) and former foreign minister. Rasmus Nordqvist - former member of the Parliament from Alternativet (Greens), who switched to SF after losing a leadership battle.
3 mandates for Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats). Christel Schaldemose - a veteran in the European Parliament, elected there for the first time in 2006; third most voted with 142,198 personal votes. Niels Fuglsang - in his second mandate, got into troubles with the party leadership after the residential energy renovation proposal. Marianne Vind - Also in her second mandate, she has the support of trade unions.
2 mandates for Venstre (Liberals). Morten Løkkegaard - Second most voted candidate with 174,048 personal votes; in the European Parliament since 2009; former journalist. Asger Christensen - The farmer from Kolding is in his second mandate.
1 mandate for Konservative (Conservatives) and 1 mandate for Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservatives). They will sit together in the EPP group. Niels Flemming Hansen (K) - Member of Parliament; controversial for allowing ECCO shoes in his stores (ECCO did not stop their operations in Russia). Henrik Dahl (LA) - Member of the Parliament; this was his third attempt to get elected to the European Parliament.
1 mandate for Moderaterne (Social Liberals) and 1 mandate for Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals). They will sit together in the Renew group. Stine Bosse (M) - the former CEO of Tryg; first-time politician. Sigrid Friis (RV) - former leader of the youth wing; managed to secure a mandate despite opinion poll predictions.
1 mandate for DD (Nationalist Populists), 1 mandate for DF (Nationalist Conservatives) and 1 mandate for Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance). Kristoffer Storm (DD) - former DF local politician from Aalborg. Anders Vistisen (DF) - current member of the European Parliament; the main candidate from the European far-right for the European Commission President. Per Clausen (E) - former member of the communist party before the 80s; long-term member of the Parliament and local politician from Aalborg.
The future of the regional governments: In Denmark we have five regions led by regional councils which primarily administer the healthcare system. The Health Structure Commission proposed three reform scenarios for the organization of the healthcare system.
Option A: The current regions are divided into eight to 10 regions, which will also take over the tasks regarding health and elderly care from the municipalities. Each new region will have a council of 21 to 25 members.
Option B: The current regions are divided into eight to 10 administrative units run by civil servants as part of the Health Ministry. The State takes over the healthcare system and ends regional governments.
Option C: The number of regions is reduced from five to three.
The parliamentary parties will negotiate the options in the near future. In November 2025, we will see if we still have two votes (local and regional) or just one.
Danish Economics HQ
41 concrete initiatives to transform Denmark into a world-class entrepreneurial country: The government announced a package of measures aimed at boosting the start-up world by infusing 2 billion DKK of value over the next three years. The measures will be negotiated with the parliamentary parties before they become reality. What to expect?
Removal of the tax on company dividends from unlisted portfolio shares. Increase the amount of dividends taxed at 27% (from 64,000 to 80,000 DKK). Increase the deduction (fradrag) on company losses from 9.5 million DKK to 20 million DKK. Legalize equity crowdfunding for limited companies.
Reduction of starting capital for ApS (limited companies) from 40,000 to 20,000 DKK. Simplify regulations and automate data reporting from companies. Companies will obtain the right to a business bank account.
Unemployed people who want to start a business will be able to receive unemployment insurance (a-kasse) for a longer period while running their own business. Allow entrepreneurs on maternity leave (barsel) to still work up to 3.5 hours per week on their companies. Finance stronger entrepreneurship education in schools to encourage more young people to choose this lifestyle. Create start-up environments in all educational institutions, from vocational to universities.
Fast-track support to register a patent or design. More money allocated to support companies to afford patent/design registration.
Support for sports tech start-ups via the establishment of a dedicated incubator. There will be an “entrepreneur’s guide” at the regional business houses (erhvervhusene) to support new start-ups.
More money to support international entrepreneurs in Denmark.
Good news for people with variable loans - the interest rates are going down: After the European Central Bank and Denmark’s National Bank announced an interest rate cut of 0.25%, the larger banks in Denmark (Nordea, Danske Bank, Nykredit) have already followed suit.
The European Central Bank reduced interest rates from 4% to 3.75%, while Denmark’s National Bank reduced interest rates from 3.6% to 3.35%.
The interest rates are expected to be reduced two or three more times this year.
As long as the inflation rate stays at 2% maximum, the interest rates should continue to drop.
Entrepreneur’s corner
Networking session for small businesses on the topic of recruitment strategies in Denmark. Where? ZOKU Copenhagen (Amagerfælledvej 108, 2300 København). When? June 21, 15:30 - 18:30. Sign up here. Why? Discover practical solutions to your hiring challenges and learn how to grow your business efficiently.
Read about Martina Lokajova and TEMPTY Foods, the first Danish company to launch mycoprotein-based products.
Interested in starting your own beauty salon? Read the story of Kristine Aurbakken and Anton Zabolotnyi.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
Insights into the Danish way of life
This month, we celebrated Grundlovsdag (Constitution Day) and Father’s Day on June 5th. We also observed Valdemar Day on June 15th, the day of the flag, named after King Valdemar II. Some might know the Danish flag is the oldest in the world, dating back to 1219 (805 years!). Called Dannebrog in Danish, dialect for “the cloth of the Danes,” the legend says the linen fell from the heavens during a battle in current-day Estonia. With no real evidence for the tale, some believe it was white fabric stained with blood; others, only symbolism. Curiously, the flag was a royal matter for centuries, and only became publicly used in the 1850s.
As we all know, summer has turned moody and unpredictable. But if there’s anything currently occupying Danish minds more than the weather, it is Den Sorte Svane (The Black Swan), TV2’s new documentary. Hosted by journalist Mads Brügger, the five-episode program follows lawyer Amira Smajic as she unveils illegal activity from the underground world. Years ago, Smajic had a secret office where she helped launder money for local gang members, lawyers and businessmen. As her past started to catch up with her, she contacted the media to tell her story, setting herself up as a mole to put some of Denmark’s biggest criminal faces on public television, in high definition.
Those of us who have watched this masterpiece are both amazed and horrified: how does this choice make sense for her? With close-up, unaware confessions of some of the most notorious individuals in Denmark (as well as high-profile businessmen), there is no longer a safe place for her in the country, and maybe the world… but the answer remains unclear. Public reaction has been polarized: those whose jaws hit the floor and those who are angry about the jaw-hitting. For some, it is outrageous that people are unaware that even in fairytale Denmark, not everything is rainbows and butterflies. Unfortunately, the documentary is not available in English. If you were waiting for an excuse to start Danish classes, consider yourself served.
Weekly overview
The work in the Danish Parliament will slow down as the current high tempo has led to an epidemic of politicians who call in sick and civil servants who work evenings and weekends to keep up with the workload. This means that the legislative process will be longer - more days between proposal and final vote (from 30 to 40 days); more days between proposal and first reading in the Parliament (from two to seven days, and even 14 days where possible); more time for civil servants from ministries to respond to inquiries made by members of the Parliament.
Maximum three hours of screen time during free time for adults, Danish Health Authority guidelines now recommend. For children, they recommend a maximum of two hours for 5-17 year olds, a maximum of one hour for 2-4 year olds, while under 2 years of age should watch screens only under constant supervision, and the content should be considered.
Watch out for ticks! They are more present than ever before. Why? Last year's dry summer led to a more bountiful fruit production. This abundance of food helped mice and other furry animals survive in higher numbers. Mice can carry entire colonies of ticks on their backs.
Don’t stop going out in nature! Simply ensure that your legs are covered and check your body from tip to toe after long walks. P.S. - Also check your pets and children.
A Danish-Russian woman was arrested for collaboration with the Russian intelligence services. While running a counseling center in Zealand for Russian speakers, she received 338,000 DKK from Pravfond, a foundation run by Russian intelligence officers, used as a front to fund various operations in the European Union. Last year alone, the foundation spent 18 million DKK for actions to create instability and division around the world.
European Union HQ
Europe This Week
European Parliament elections results.
European People’s Party (EPP) 26.3% (189 mandates; 13 more than 2019)
Socialists and Democrats (S&D) 18.8% (135 mandates; 4 fewer than 2019)
Liberals (Renew) 11% (79 mandates; 23 fewer than 2019)
Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) 10.6% (76 mandates; 7 more than 2019)
Identity and Democracy (ID) 8.1% (58 mandates; 9 more than 2019)
Greens (Greens/EFA) 7.4% (53 mandates; 18 fewer than 2019)
Left (GUE/NGL) 5.4% (39 mandates; 2 more than 2019)
Non-aligned (without a group) 12.6% (91 mandates; 29 more than 2019)
To get a majority, you need 361 mandates. The current grand coalition between EPP, S&D and Renew has 403, so technically they could continue to govern together. However, the right-wing groups (ECR, ID and the non-aligned, which are mostly right-wing) are asking EPP to drop the collaboration with the center-left and create a true right-wing European governance for the first time.
The race for the top European jobs has started.
President of the European Commission: Ursula von der Leyen has a very good chance to get a second term, after EPP (European People’s Party, center-right conservatives) won the European Parliament elections.
President of the European Council: Former prime minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa is backed by the Socialists & Democrats group (second largest after the elections, center-left social democrats). The only serious challenger is our prime minister, Mette Frederiksen. Costa’s unresolved legal issues might give Frederiksen a good chance.
President of the European Parliament: Roberta Metsola (also from EPP) also has a good chance to continue in her current position for another mandate.
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs: Prime minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas is backed by Renew Europe (third largest after the elections, center liberals).
If another grand coalition between EPP, S&D and Renew Europe is formed to govern the European Union, then the four names mentioned earlier will most likely be the ones announced officially.
Did the far-right sweep over the European Union as it was feared? Let’s look at the results in every EU member state.
North Europe: Finland (a center left majority - 10 mandates; 4 EPP mandates and 1 for ECR); Sweden (a center left majority - 13 mandates; 5 EPP mandates and 3 for ECR); Denmark (a center left majority - 11 mandates; 2 EPP mandates and 2 far-right)
Baltic states: Estonia (a center left majority - 4 mandates; 2 EPP mandates and 1 far-right); Latvia (a right-wing majority - 4 far-right and 2 EPP mandates; 3 mandates for center-left); Lithuania (a center left majority - 6 mandates; 3 EPP mandates and 2 far-right)
West Europe: Ireland (equally divided between left and right; 7 and 7 mandates); Netherlands (a center left majority - 16 mandates; 6 EPP mandates and 9 far-right); Belgium (a center left majority - 12 mandates; 4 EPP mandates and 6 far-right); Luxembourg (equally divided between left and right; 3 and 3 mandates); France (far-right majority - 35 mandates + 6 for EPP; 40 mandates for center-left)
South Europe: Portugal (a center-left majority - 12 mandates; 7 for EPP and 2 far-right); Spain (a center-right majority - 32 mandates; 29 mandates for center-left); Italy (far-right majority - 50 mandates from which 9 are EPP; 26 mandates for center-left); Greece (a center-right majority - 14 mandates; 7 mandates for center-left); Cyprus (a center-right majority - 4 mandates; 2 mandates for center-left); Malta (equally divided between right and left - 3 and 3 mandates).
Central Europe: Germany (42 center-left mandates; 30 EPP mandates; 17 far-right and 7 non-aligned; no clear majority); Poland (a center-right majority - 23 EPP mandates; 20 far-right and 6 non-aligned; 4 mandates for center-left); Czechia (a center-right majority - 5 EPP mandates; 1 far-right and 3 non-aligned; 9 mandates for center-left); Austria (a center-right majority - 5 EPP mandates and 6 far-right; 9 mandates for center-left); Slovakia (a center-left majority - 14 mandates; 1 EPP mandate)
Eastern Europe: Slovenia (a center-right majority - 5 EPP mandates and 4 for center-left); Croatia (a center-right majority - 6 EPP mandates and 1 far-right; 5 center-left); Hungary (far-right majority - 10 far-right, 8 EPP; 3 for center-left); Romania (far-right majority - 8 far-right, 11 EPP; 14 for center-left); Bulgaria (center-right majority - 6 EPP, 4 non-aligned; 7 for center-left)
*by center-left, we mean mandates for Renew Europe, S&D, Greens and Left.
Announcement Board
Copenhagen, June 18, 18:00-20:00: Are you new in Denmark, seasoned but looking for new friends, or seeking a fun international event after work? If yes, don’t hesitate to join the “Welcome to Denmark” meet-up at the Main Library of Copenhagen.
Aalborg, June 25, 14:00-15:45: Are you new to job search in Denmark? Or could you use some practical guidance on how to successfully search for a job? International House North Denmark would like to invite you to a free seminar where you will be introduced to the basics of job search in Denmark.
This week, EURO 2024 kicked off, with this year’s edition taking place in Germany. You can check the groups here. Since football is an important part of Danish culture, there are many places across the country where the games will be shown on big screens in public areas. Islands Brygge in Copenhagen, Storms Pakhus in Odense, Havnepladsen in Aarhus, Operaen in Randers or Street Food Market in Aalborg are only a few of them. Check to find the one closest to you. It’s a great opportunity to have fun and meet a lot of people.
International media about Denmark HQ
Denmark recalls spicy South Korean noodles over health concerns (AP News)