Last Week in Denmark (10.07 - 17.07) Episode 23 Year 2
We are back :)
Editor HQ
Dear subscribers,
Thank you for being with us for more than a year and a half now. We embarked on this journey “to empower people with information” with a mission to connect the 11% non-Danish speakers with Danish society. Being a voluntary-driven project, we are still in the development stage (even after more than a year of activity), trying to figure out what is the most efficient way to run this enterprise.
What is new? We have a social media team (that you will get to meet over the next weeks) that will reactivate our presence on social media by creating original content. You should join us on Facebook and Linkedin to see their work.
The section “Daily Life” will be further curated together with Amina McCauley (climate) and Jelimir Vlastici (sports).
Also, for the first time we have reporters that will bring original stories from the international community. I will present each of them, together with their first article in the following editions.
Remember, you can meet with us at the Festival of Europe in Mariager (25-28 August) :)
Did you like our newsletter so far? Nominate us for the “International Award North Denmark” given by International House North Denmark.
To nominate us, you need to go to the end of the page, download the nomination form, complete it and send it to info@ihnd.dk
Thank you for your support!
P.S - If you are a student looking for an internship or an unemployed person looking for a virksomhedspraktik, contact me at narcis1george@gmail.com to join our team this late summer - early autumn. Interesting profiles: digital marketing; video production; writing; social media wizard; graphic design
Ukraine HQ
In a speech in front of the Ukrainian Parliament, Mette Frederiksen (Denmark’s prime minister) said “You have our deepest respect. You are not just fighting for your own country. But for free nations all over the world. It is a war between freedom and oppression. Between democracy and tyranny. A war that neither of us can afford to lose.”
Danish Politics HQ
The political game
Mink-saga: In the winter of 2020, prime-minister Mette Frederiksen ordered the extermination of minks in Denmark. In 2021, on suspicions that the order was without a legal basis, the Danish Parliament made an investigation commission into the matter dubbed “Mink Commission”. While our publication was on vacation, the commission published the results of the investigation - 1649 pages.
The main conclusion is that Mette Frederiksen lacked the authority to order the extermination of minks in Denmark. However, she was informed four days after she gave the order that it was without a legal basis.
It is recommended that the prime minister chief of staff, Barbara Bertelsen, faces a disciplinary case for rushing the decision-making process without including the Ministry of Environment and Food.
Even though the Ministry of Environment and Food was sidelined by the office of the Prime Minister, they still had the chance to warn the prime minister that the order was without legal basis, which they didn’t.
Aftermath of the Mink Commission report: Despite the desire from the “blue” parties to bring Mette Frederiksen in front of the “Rigsret” (The special justice court that judges the ministers if they broke the law), the majority of the Danish Parliament decided to give her and the former minister of Environment and Food (Mogens Jensen) a “næse” (a criticism that the two minister have made a mistake).
The “red” parties including the Social Democrats (the governing party) have voted to show Mette Frederiksen and Mogens Jensen the yellow card.
There is no consequence from receiving a “næse”. However, it can lead to a vote of “no-confidence” which means new elections need to be organized as the government has been dismissed.
Radikale Venstre (the social liberals) demanded from Mette Frederiksen to call for parliamentary elections before 4th October 2022 or they will call for a “no-confidence” vote in the Parliament.
Nye Borgerlige (the libertarian nationalists) gathered 750.000 DKK to hire lawyers to look into the Mink Commission report and see if there is a basis to bring Mette Frederiksen in front of the “Rigsret”. However, regardless of the investigation result, only the Parliament can decide if the “Rigsret” should be convened.
“Red” parties: Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) 21,7% (-4,2%); SF (Socialists) 9,3% (+1,6%); Enhedslisten (Red Green Alliance) 8,3% (+1,3%); Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) 6,9% (-1,7%); Alternativet (Greens) 0,7% (-2,3%); Veganerpartiet (Vegans) 0,3% (new party); Frie Grønne (Free Greens) 0,1% (new party).
“Blue” parties: Konservative (Conservatives) 13,4% (+6,8%); Venstre (Liberals) 13,1% (-10,3%); Liberal Alliance (Libertarians) 5,2% (+2,9%); Nye Borgerlige (Libertarian Nationalists) 4,2% (+1,8%); DF (Nationalists) 1,7% (-7%); Kristendemokraterne (Christian Democrats) 0,5% (-1,2%)
“Idol” parties: Danmarks Demokraterne – Inger Støjberg (Populist Nationalist) 10,8%; Moderaterne - Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Moderates) 3,6% (Idol parties are political parties built around one personality without a clearly defined ideological program)
The voting potential for nationalist (right-wing) parties in Denmark seems to be up to 20%. While DF will not enter the Parliament again, their voters did not change their mind about us (non-Danes), they simply moved to Nye Borgerlige and Inger Støjberg’s party.
Both “idol” parties have been created by former Venstre leaders. That is also reflected in the loss of more than 10% of Venstre’s voters. Venstre has become a ghost of itself and is not capable of running the “blue” parties. Most likely the Konservative will establish themselves as the new leader.
If they enter the Parliament, Lars Løkke’s party, Moderaterne, will play an important role in deciding who the next prime minister will be.
New political movement: The infamous convict and former minister, Inger Støjberg has founded a new political party on the 23rd of June called Denmark’s Democrats plus her name. Yes, it is the first political party in Denmark that bears the name of the founder. The party is anti-Copenhagen, anti-elites, anti-progressivism and modernism, anti-immigrants and anti-future. A party built on hate alone. A party that will cause us troubles in the future.
A party needs 20,182 signatures to be allowed to run for the Danish Parliament. DD-IS obtained 50,185 in just a few days.
New laws and strategies
Green tax reform: A majority in the Parliament (Government, SF, Radikale Venstre, Venstre and Konservative) has agreed to make changes to the green tax. The new carbon tax will be 750 DKK / tonne of emitted CO2, with discounts for certain key industrial companies.
Aalborg Portland (cement producer), the biggest CO2 emitter in Denmark will pay only 125 DKK / tonne of emitted CO2. Enhedslisten refused to support the new agreement due to the discount given to large industrial companies.
The government will offer grants worth 7 billion DKK to help the companies invest in reducing the amount of CO2 emitted.
The end of gas in Denmark: According to the Ministry of Climate, Denmark will become “a large green power plant for the whole of Europe”. A new majority agreement in the Parliament has decided to increase production of solar and wind energy (4 times more by 2030) and offshore wind energy (5 times more by 2030). From 2035, gas will no longer be used to heat homes in Denmark. 400.000 houses in Denmark will need to switch from gas to district heating.
Time to pay the debt: A majority in the Parliament has decided to allow the National Debt Agency to collect more money at once from the income of the people that have debt. The total debt of the people in Denmark to the state is 145 billion DKK. 20% of the people in Denmark have debt to the state (unpaid taxes, fines, utilities, alimony, etc.). Also, the interest rate on the debt will be reduced by 50% and 20 million DKK have been set aside for voluntary debt counseling.
Danish Economy HQ
3,1 billion DKK to support the people in the fight against inflation: A majority in the Parliament has agreed to finance six initiatives that will help the people against rising prices.
5.000 DKK for the elderly (290.000 pensioners that receive the basic pension).
2.000 DKK for the people on social benefits (to be paid January 2023).
The tax-free part of the SU (student grant) will increase to 4000 DKK (for the entire 2022).
2.000 DKK check for students that receive the SU disability supplement or the SU single-parent supplement.
The tax-free part of your income increases to 43.500 DKK / year. From 2023 it will be 45.600 DKK.
The tax on electricity will be lowered from the last quarter of 2022.
Hybrid cars: According to EU law, from 2026 the “hybrid cars” are no longer considered green. Therefore, in order to encourage companies to use electric cars instead of hybrid cars, a majority agreement has been made in the Parliament to make the taxes on hybrid cars higher and on electric cars lower. Also, charging your car at the workplace will be tax-free for the employer.
Easier to come to Denmark for non-Europeans: Due to the current labor shortage, a majority in the Parliament decided to lower the minimum annual salary required to be able to hire from outside of the European Union. The required salary for a non-European has been reduced from 448.000 DKK to 375.000 DKK.
Update for jobseekers: You should not put your age in your CV or disclose it during an interview. A new law prohibits employers from asking the age of potential employees.
House market: Less and less houses are being sold in Denmark for the past few months. According to economists, the price for houses will start to drop at the end of 2022. Why are less houses being sold? The interest rates for loans have increased; The high inflation makes people afraid to make large purchases.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
Danish police to fight drug smuggling in Southern Spain: The minister of Justice, Mattias Tesfaye, announced that it will allow Danish officers to participate in operations to stop drug smuggling in Southern Spain. The details are still being discussed with the Spanish police.
Revaccination against COVID: 2,5 million people in Denmark over 50 years old will be offered the chance to get a “booster” vaccination shot against COVID from 1st October. Why? There is a new mutated variant that is spreading rapidly in Denmark and Europe.
Culture
In memoriam Uffe Ellemann-Jensen: At the end of June, Denmark mourned the passing of a great politician. He has been Denmark’s foreign minister for more than a decade (1982-1993) and the leader of Venstre (1984-1998). Two of his children are following in his footsteps, Jakob (the current leader of Venstre) and Karen. His last message to his son (Jakob) was “Congratulations for joining the EU military cooperation”.
European Union HQ
Opportunity for young people (18-30 years old): With a participation fee of 50 EUR, you can attend a five-day international seminar in Glasgow (Scotland) between the 7th and 11th of September. Accommodation and food is covered and for travel costs you get 250 EUR. Topic? Promotion of human rights. Deadline! July 24th.
Our community
Project
Esbjerg International Day: Join a true celebration of diversity on the 13th of August in the center of the city. There will be international stands with food and crafts, stage shows and activities for children. Make a weekend mini-vacation out of it and visit also Ribe and Fanø.
Volunteer at the Festival of Europe: When? 25-28 August Where? Mariager (North Denmark). There will be more than 400 volunteers at the festival. An amazing opportunity to make new friends. You can volunteer before, during and after the festival for as much time as you wish to give. Sign up here.
Hi,
In regards to green taxes on vehicles; I think there is still some confusions between what is widely called "hybrid cars".
Banks are still making the distinction between petrol cars, hybrid cars AND plug-in hybrid cars when giving out loans.
What differs between the 2nd and 3rd type is that a plug-in hybrid car can drive on fully electric mode, for approx. 80km, and at a maximum speed of 130km/h, before switching to petrol engine. While a hybrid car, will automatically switch to petrol once it reaches max. 50km/h and the range is usually lower.
That said, I'm still unsure/confused if the 2026 green tax deduction will also apply to plug-in hybrid and only exclude hybrids or if it will only apply to fully electric cars, excluding hybrids and plugin-in hybrids.
If you have the answer, I'll be happy to read it :)
Best /Cedric