Military draft expands, Greenland chooses stability, Parents go part-time

Last Week in Denmark (09.03-16.03) Episode 10 Year 5

Mar 16, 2025

TOP 3 News

Mandatory military service for women from 2026.
The moderates won the elections in Greenland.
More young parents are choosing part-time work to balance family life.

Illustration made by Diana Bălașa

Listen to the Last Week in Denmark podcast here. New episode out. Spotify. Apple Podcasts. Amazon Music.

Favor to ask: We need your help. As we are trying to match the content of the podcast to your wishes, we need feedback on it. So please listen to the last edition episode and then write to lastweekdk@gmail.com

Editor HQ

State of Denmark
Greenland has spoken. The 2025 parliamentary elections weren’t just about domestic policy or political rivalries; they were about the future of a nation that the world suddenly can’t stop talking about. This vote was a referendum on independence, foreign influence, and Greenland’s place between Denmark and the superpowers circling the Arctic.

The winner? Jens-Frederik Nielsen’s Demokraatit, a center-right, pro-business party that surged from a minor role to first place, taking 10 seats. Their stance? Independence is the endgame, but first, Greenland needs a functional economy that doesn’t collapse the moment Denmark’s 3.7 billion DKK annual subsidy disappears. Second place went to Naleraq, a fiery left-wing nationalist party demanding independence as soon as possible, arguing that the longer Greenland waits, the more foreign powers will dictate its future. The two former ruling parties (Inuit Ataqatigiit and Siumut) were dealt heavy losses, signaling voter frustration with their cautious, slow-moving approach.

So, what happens now? Nielsen is forming a coalition, but the balance of power has shifted. For the first time, every major party in Greenland agrees on the destination, but they differ on how to get there. The debate is no longer whether Greenland should become independent, but when and how.

International reactions have been swift. The United States is watching closely. Trump’s bombastic statements, ranging from economic takeovers to military posturing, did not sit well with Greenlanders, who largely rejected any hint of U.S. control. But make no mistake: Washington is still in play. The U.S. wants Greenland’s resources, airspace, and military access, and it will likely court the new government with investment deals, strategic partnerships, and pressure.

Meanwhile, Denmark is in damage control mode. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Greenland’s right to self-determination, but let’s be real – Copenhagen is nervous. Losing Greenland would be a geopolitical earthquake, cutting Denmark’s landmass by 97% and forcing a painful negotiation over economic ties, defense, and Arctic representation. To prevent a rapid breakup, Denmark will likely offer Greenland a better deal, more autonomy, and perhaps even a new constitutional arrangement, to keep the relationship intact a little longer.

The bottom line? Greenland is entering a new era. This election has set the stage for a real independence process, whether that means an official referendum in four years or a long, gradual separation from Denmark. The world isn’t just watching; it’s moving in. The Arctic is the new frontier of global competition, and Greenland just became the hottest territory in the game. One thing is certain: Greenlanders are determined that they, not the superpowers, will decide what happens next.

Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!

Share Last Week in Denmark

Images of the week

🌙 A celestial spectacle over Denmark. A mysterious glowing ring around the moon left many people staring at the night sky in awe this week. The stunning optical illusion, known as a lunar halo, is caused by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere bending the moon’s light. Did you see it? See the photos here.

LWID Universe

Linkedin - Instagram - Facebook - LWID App - Merchandise Store - Podcast - Website

Did you know you can read Last Week in Denmark in seven other languages?
Romanian - Polish - Spanish - Turkish - Italian - German - Hungarian

Danish Politics HQ

New laws

🚇 The government is tightening security in public spaces with a new safety package that brings more surveillance, more security staff on trains, and bans on convicted rapists entering nightlife areas. They say the goal is to make all areas feel safer, even though most people already feel secure. The plan also includes harsher penalties for graffiti, extended curfews for criminals, and electronic monitoring for those with restraining orders. Critics worry the focus on crime could create unnecessary fear, but officials argue they’re responding to real concerns from residents.

🪖 Gender-equal conscription comes sooner than expected, as the Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservative) has dropped its opposition to mandatory military service for women. Originally set for 2027, the policy may now take effect in summer 2026. The Defense Minister calls it a win for the military, ensuring a larger recruitment base and improved operational strength.

🏥 Denmark boosts funding for child mental health. The government and regional authorities have agreed to spend an extra 150 million DKK in 2025 to cut waiting times and improve psychiatric care for children and teenagers. The money will go towards hiring more staff and expanding services in hospital psychiatry.

🛡️ Mobilizing volunteers for crisis preparedness. With rising security threats, the emergency minister wants to integrate voluntary organizations into national preparedness. Inspired by COVID-19 efforts, the government will create a "forum for civil society" to coordinate support for vulnerable citizens during crises. Volunteers won’t replace authorities but will provide crucial assistance in war, hybrid threats (cyber attacks, economic pressure, etc.), and natural disasters.

Law proposals

🔌 Good news for EV owners with solar panels: The government wants to fix the unfair extra electricity tax on home vehicle charging. Currently, if you have solar panels, you can’t benefit from the low electricity tax when charging your EV. The proposed solution is a bimåler (sub-meter) to measure how much electricity is used for charging, ensuring you get the lower tax rate. While many chargers already have this feature, those without will need to buy one, costing up to 4,000 DKK, which some argue might cancel out the savings.

Political scene

🇩🇪 Germany’s two biggest parties, the conservative CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD), have reached a deal to form a new government just two weeks after the election. The agreement includes tougher immigration controls, with stricter border enforcement and limits on family reunification for temporary refugees. In return, SPD secured a minimum wage increase to €15 per hour and tax cuts for low-income workers. Meanwhile, Germany is preparing to borrow a historic €900 billion to boost defense and modernize infrastructure. Economists predict this spending could lift Germany out of recession and drive growth across Europe.

🇳🇴 More Norwegians are warming up to EU membership, with 37% now in favor, a 10-point jump from 2023, according to a new poll by NRK. While the "no" side still holds a narrow lead at 43%, the shift is significant. Experts link the change to global instability, including the war in Ukraine and concerns over Trump’s policies.

🇺🇦 Denmark may send troops to Ukraine as part of a European peacekeeping force if a ceasefire is reached, and a new poll shows 62% support for the idea. France and the UK have already signaled willingness to send troops, but Russia has warned against any Western military presence. A leaked Swiss think tank report outlines plans for a demilitarized buffer zone and a 10,000-strong international force to monitor compliance, though experts warn the mission would carry serious risks.

🇬🇱 Should Greenlanders in Denmark be recognized as a national minority? Eight months after Greenland’s government asked Denmark to investigate the question, no action has been taken. Supporters argue that recognition would provide funding for cultural preservation and better protection against discrimination, while skeptics fear it could limit broader political support for Greenlandic issues. A 2015 report found that many Greenlanders in Denmark face racism and unequal access to jobs and education.

🏗️ Labor inspectors are failing to effectively track illegal asbestos work, putting construction workers at risk, according to a sharp critique from the State Auditors. A report highlights that 85% of asbestos violations were found at sites that had not been reported in advance, and a stricter dust exposure limit wasn’t enforced for more than two years. With one in three roofs in Denmark still containing asbestos and 300 deaths annually linked to exposure, authorities are urged to systematically collect and analyze data to better target inspections.

✈️ Denmark’s promise of a fully green domestic flight by 2025 has officially been scrapped. Instead, the government will require that two domestic routes use at least 50% biofuel, mainly made from used cooking oil and animal fats. The change is due to international regulations limiting biofuel to 50%, but experts argue that this type of fuel may actually worsen climate impact.

Share Last Week in Denmark

Danish Economics HQ

Our money

📈 Prices are climbing again in Denmark, with inflation hitting 2% in February – the highest since last May. Food is the biggest culprit, rising 5.3% in the past year and over 20% since 2022. While wages are also rising, helping offset some of the pressure, economists warn that essentials like food price increases hit lower-income households the hardest. The good news? A stable inflation rate of around 2% is expected, keeping the overall economy on track.

👶 More young parents are choosing part-time work to balance family life, with 18% more 25-34-year-olds working reduced hours compared to 2021. The shift reflects a growing demand for flexibility, but experts warn of long-term financial consequences, especially for women, who make up most of the part-time workforce. While part-time work allows for more time with children, it also impacts pensions and household income.

🏡 Buying a home in Copenhagen is getting harder, especially for young buyers. With an average price of 56,000 DKK per square meter and high interest rates, the number of first-time buyers has dropped by 25% in just two years. Many young people feel locked out of the market, unable to borrow enough or find affordable options. Experts argue that simply allowing prospective buyers to borrow more money would only push prices higher. Instead, the focus should be on building more owner-occupied homes, as investors and pension funds are snapping up new developments for rentals.

🎖️ Denmark is bringing back paid education for soldiers in a 2.2 billion DKK deal aimed at improving recruitment and retention. Under the new plan, soldiers can take publicly recognized education programs with full pay. New recruits will also get a 10-year contract with the option to earn up to two years of paid education. The move comes as the military struggles with record-high departures, losing more than 3,300 personnel in the past two years.

💰 Mink, millions, and money laundering — a bizarre crime case in Aarhus has led to a five-year prison sentence for a 43-year-old man who used mink pelts to launder drug money. The convicted man, who has ties to both the mink trade and organized crime, laundered 35 million DKK by buying mink skins with cash from hash sales and selling them through a network stretching from Denmark to Cambodia, ultimately converting profits into cryptocurrency.

State of the markets

📉 U.S. stocks are taking a hit, with fears of a Trumpcession (a recession linked to trade tensions and uncertainty under Trump) shaking the market. While American stocks tumble, European markets remain steadier, attracting new investment interest. Meanwhile, gold is proving its worth as a safe-haven investment, outperforming stocks in recent years. Experts advise patience: market dips happen, but long-term investors should stay the course and diversify their portfolios rather than make impulsive moves.

📉 Recent drops in U.S. stocks aren’t a major concern for pension funds in Denmark. Experts say only those retiring within the next year or two might see slight uncertainty in payouts, while long-term investors are largely shielded. Pension providers gradually shift savings into bonds as retirement nears, reducing exposure to market swings. The downturn is linked to military spending in Europe pushing interest rates up and new U.S. trade tariffs creating uncertainty.

🚗 A Tesla owner in Aarhus found his car vandalized, sparking speculation about whether it was a random act or part of a broader trend. The owner wonders if the attack was linked to growing anti-Tesla sentiment fueled by protests against Elon Musk. Similar incidents have been reported in Dragør, where Tesla owners found Nazi-themed graffiti outside their homes. Meanwhile, Tesla sales in Denmark have dropped 45%, with experts citing both upcoming model releases and the so-called Musk effect as possible reasons.

✈️ A group of young engineers from Denmark is shaking up the travel industry with Tryp.com, an AI-powered platform that finds flexible, low-cost travel routes by combining flights, trains, and buses. Targeting spontaneous travelers, especially young people, the startup has already attracted three million users and secured 23 million DKK in funding. Unlike traditional booking sites, Tryp.com focuses on multi-city itineraries and hidden deals, making sustainable and off-the-beaten-path travel more accessible.

Entrepreneurship

🚀 More funding for female entrepreneurs. Only 25% of startups in Denmark are founded by women, and they receive just 2% of venture capital. To change that, the government has launched a new co-financing scheme aimed at female entrepreneurs. The program, run through EIFO, offers risk-tolerant loans that match private investments, provided at least one founder is a woman. With 117.5 million DKK allocated through 2030, the initiative could unlock up to 250 million DKK in total funding.

Danish Daily Life HQ

♻️ Denmark’s bottle deposit system is among the best in the world, with 99.7% of collected bottles and cans being recycled into new ones. That’s a nearly 4% improvement from the previous year, thanks to higher return rates for glass and plastic. In 2024, we returned 2.1 billion bottles and cans, placing Denmark at the top globally. Beyond the money, the system has saved 234,000 tons of CO2 by reducing the need for new materials.

📞 More people than ever are reaching out for help with alcohol problems. In 2024, a record 4,648 people contacted Alkolinjen, a 10% increase from the previous year. The biggest change? More young people and women are using the chat function, which was expanded to make it easier for them to seek help. Half of those who contact Alkolinjen are family members looking for advice, often before the person with the problem does. Most who seek help are referred to public treatment.

🎉 Aarhus teens are all in for Princess Isabella’s birthday. The royal family has invited young Aarhusians to celebrate her upcoming 18th birthday, and sign-ups are flooding in. The city sent out over 11,000 invitations, and within 24 hours, nearly 3,000 had already said yes. Only 50 lucky ones will be chosen by lottery to attend the event at Aarhus City Hall.

🐰 Hares are moving into the city, and they’re loving it. A new study shows that Aalborg and Aarhus have become hare hotspots, with the animals thriving in the green spaces between apartment blocks. Unlike in rural areas, where pesticides have wiped out their favorite foods like dandelions and daisies, urban lawns are pesticide-free and packed with snacks.

🐶 Guard dogs are keeping piglets safe in Jutland. A pair of large Pyrenean dogs are protecting free-range piglets from attacks by foxes, a problem that once led to the loss of up to 100 piglets a month. Since the dogs arrived, attacks have dropped significantly, proving that these livestock guardians are an effective and humane solution. Experts say the same method could help sheep farmers defend their flocks against wolves.

🐄 A dating app for cows has reached the finals of Denmark’s biggest science competition for young researchers. Two high school students created MooMatch, an app that pairs cows based on genetic diversity to reduce inbreeding and disease in cattle farming. Instead of swiping on interests like equivalent apps for us humans, cows would be matched through DNA tests linked to their ear tags.

🪵 A mysterious wooden totem pole has appeared near the coast of Bornholm, and no one knows who put it there or why. After a Facebook user posted a picture, theories exploded; some believe it represents an old Slavic god, while others think it’s just an artistic oddity. The engravings aren’t runes, but experts say they spell out "Perkunas," the Baltic god of thunder, which might explain the pole’s placement by the sea.

🚀 A metal part 3D-printed in space has landed in Denmark, marking a breakthrough for future space missions. Designed by our researchers and printed on the International Space Station, the experiment tests whether weightlessness improves metal printing. If it does, it could change everything from repairing space equipment to building massive solar farms on the Moon. Printing structures in space would save enormous costs and resources, as materials wouldn’t need to withstand Earth’s gravity or rocket vibrations.

📞 More companies are launching dedicated helplines for people with invisible disabilities. The latest to join is Denmark’s largest telecom provider (TDC), offering extra support for customers with autism, ADHD, or other special needs. Similar lines already exist in banks, insurance companies, and major retailers, helping those who find regular customer service overwhelming. The initiative is part of the global Solsikkeprogrammet, which started with sunflower lanyards to signal hidden disabilities.

Last Week in Denmark

Military draft expands, Greenland chooses stability, Parents go part-time

Last Week in Denmark (09.03-16.03) Episode 10 Year 5

Illustration made by Diana Bălașa

Discussion about this post