Open Letter to the Minister for Immigration and Integration

Last Week in Denmark (07.06-14.06) Episode 22 Year 6

What did we learn this week?

1. 14,300 citizenship applicants will likely have to wait until Spring 2027 for a decision.

2. For the first time since 2023, interest rates have increased 0.25% to prevent inflation.

3. The greatest Danish song of all time is Alberte Winding’s Lyse Nætter.

Letter from the editor

Open Letter to the Minister for Immigration and Integration

Hej Morten,

Congratulations on your new position. I’m writing to you as a fellow party member. An international of Romanian origin. Not a criminal, despite what some media stories would occasionally lead people to believe.

I understand that this may not have been your dream ministry. But when the music stops, we all take the chair available to us. No hard feelings there.

However, you don’t have to follow the path of previous ministers. You have an opportunity to write your own story and finally show the 15%+ of the population (nearly one million people) with international backgrounds that there is someone in government willing to listen to us.

So far, this ministry has built a reputation. From the perspective of many internationals, it often appears more focused on deportations, reducing integration support, and making citizenship harder to obtain than on helping people become part of Danish society. The message many receive is simple: you are welcome to work here, pay taxes here, and help keep society running. But becoming fully accepted as part of the national community is another matter.

Look, I understand what Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is worried about. She does not want the far right to gain ground, and she does not want her government to appear weak on crime. But the people currently being affected are not criminals.

Otherwise, I cannot understand why 14,300 people who have fulfilled all the requirements for citizenship, passed all the tests, paid all the fees, spent many years here, and followed all the rules are still being kept waiting with no clear timeline for a decision.

You say that you cannot move forward until the expert commission reports on whether citizenship candidates can be screened for anti-democratic views. The commission was supposed to deliver its conclusions this summer. Now the deadline has been pushed to the end of the year. Is it really worth keeping 14,300 people in limbo while waiting for a report that may ultimately conclude that such a system is impossible to implement?

Think about the contradiction. Democracy is built on freedom of thought and expression. If the state starts examining people’s opinions for signs of anti-democratic thinking, it immediately enters difficult territory. People’s views change over time. Democracies should judge actions, not beliefs. The commission is effectively being asked to find a way to reconcile ideological screening with rights protected by the Constitution and European conventions. That is a difficult task, to say the least.

You often say your focus is on removing people who threaten society. Fine. But what about the rest of us? The people who followed the rules. Who built businesses, filled labor shortages, raised families, volunteered in communities, and genuinely care about this country.

Why does the conversation always seem to focus on those who break the rules rather than those who follow them?

The only thing the current freeze is achieving is the erosion of trust. It is weakening people’s connection to Denmark. It is making them question whether they will ever truly belong, regardless of how much they contribute.

Please do not let that happen. Come and talk to us. Get to know us. Meet the people behind the statistics. And use the powers you have to show that integration is not only about obligations but also about belonging. I believe you know how to do that.

Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!

Narcis George Matache, Executive Editor, LWID

Our long-form articles this week…

1. Denmark Saw the Autism We Couldn’t by Stephanie Lund

2. Finding a Voice in Local Politics as an International in Denmark by John Dixon

3. Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Denmark’s National Treasure by Gosia Kozlowska

4. Why do Danes always talk about the weather? by Sigga Hansen

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Image(s) of the Week

📸Check out the phenomenon, known in Danish as a dravat, that forms when cold air from a storm pushes under warm, humid air, creating a rolling “curtain” of clouds.

Danish Politics HQ

Political scene

🏛️ A politician with Polish roots could soon become one of the most powerful figures in Danish politics. Holbæk mayor Christina Krzyrosiak Hansen is being backed by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for the role of deputy leader of the Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats). Krzyrosiak is Denmark’s youngest mayor and has led Holbæk since 2018. If elected, she would become one of the highest-ranking politicians in the country’s largest governing party.

🦐 A fishing dispute on Rømø is turning into a political headache. Local shrimp fishermen have been forced to stop fishing in waters where they have worked for decades. This happened after authorities began enforcing a little-used 1984 rule linked to unexploded wartime mines on the seabed. Fishermen say the affected area accounts for most of their catch. With jobs now at risk, politicians are pressing the government to review whether the long-ignored restriction still makes sense today.

🩺 Women’s health is getting a dedicated voice in Parliament. Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) has appointed Denmark’s first spokesperson for women’s health, a move aimed at drawing greater attention to issues such as endometriosis, fertility, menopause, and conditions that affect women differently from men. The government has also earmarked 160 million DKK for research in the field, arguing that women’s health has long been under-researched.

🚆 Another week, another rail debate. After a fallen power line near Sorø caused major train disruptions, politicians are once again arguing about how to fix the railway system. Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservative) wants private operators to compete with DSB, arguing that competition would improve punctuality and service. Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) points instead to years of underinvestment and wants billions spent on upgrading the rail network. Meanwhile, new Transport Minister Signe Munk has asked DSB to explain what went wrong and how future breakdowns can be avoided.

🏠 Thinking of tearing down an old house and starting from scratch? That could become more difficult in the future. The government wants to introduce an “explain or preserve” principle that would require homeowners to justify why a building should be demolished before receiving permission to rebuild. The proposal is aimed at protecting both the architectural heritage and the climate, as new construction generates large amounts of CO₂. Ministers are also considering a demolition tax and stricter recycling requirements.

🧠 The government wants to rethink how children receive mental health support. With waiting times in youth psychiatry continuing to grow, Health Minister Ida Auken says an emergency plan is being prepared to help young people access support more quickly. The government is also exploring whether psychologists and physiotherapists can play a bigger role alongside psychiatrists. The move builds on a nationwide system introduced this year that gives children easier access to local mental health services before problems become severe enough to require specialist treatment.

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Daily Life in Denmark HQ

🎶 Denmark has chosen its favorite song. After nearly 300,000 people cast their votes in DR’s Top 100 poll, Alberte Winding’s Lyse Nætter was crowned the greatest Danish song of all time. The song has become a soundtrack to some of life’s biggest moments, from weddings and confirmations to funerals. Few songs are as deeply woven into modern Danish culture, and for many people, hearing the opening notes instantly brings back memories. Listen to TOP100 here.

🎵 The new culture minister wants more people making music together. Culture Minister Zenia Stampe says music communities can help counter loneliness and excessive screen time. The government’s new program includes plans for a national music strategy focused on music education and support for female artists. Stampe, who has played the flute since childhood, argues that playing music with others is becoming increasingly important in today’s isolated society.

🎭 Copenhagen is opening a new playground for creative ideas. This summer, the city will launch its first cultural “free zone” in a raw space beneath Langebro, where artists and community groups can test new concepts without navigating lengthy application processes. The pilot project runs until the end of 2026, with the municipality providing the venue and practical support. More than 60 cultural actors have already expressed interest, and city leaders hope the experiment will make it easier for creativity, and community events to flourish in the capital.

🚗 Tesla’s most advanced driver-assistance system has been approved for use in Denmark. The new FSD Supervised technology allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel and feet off the pedals, but they must still pay attention and be ready to take over. The Road Traffic Authority believes the system could improve road safety, while FDM (Association of Motorists) warns that it may create a false sense of security. During a test drive, FDM observed the car making a serious mistake.

💉 Authorities are warning against buying weight-loss drugs from unofficial sources. Criminal networks are producing fake versions of popular medicines such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, with some counterfeit products found to contain bacteria or entirely different ingredients. While authorities say medicines obtained through doctors and authorized pharmacies remain safe, they warn that products bought through social media or unverified websites can pose serious health risks.

🌻 Children and pensioners are becoming garden buddies in Odense. Through a project called Bedste-haver, daycare children regularly visit the gardens of older residents to plant flowers and spend time together. Organizers say the initiative helps create meaningful connections between the youngest and oldest generations, while many pensioners describe the visits as a source of joy and energy. The project has been running for about a year and is now looking for more seniors willing to open their gardens to young helpers.

🎤 Nearly half of children feel uncomfortable presenting in front of their class. A new survey found that 47% of 9-14-year-olds have experienced significant anxiety when giving presentations, while more than one in four have tried to avoid one. Psychologists stress that nerves are normal and can even be helpful, but warn that repeatedly avoiding presentations may make the fear worse. Their advice to parents is simple: encourage children to face small challenges step by step, ask questions rather than immediately offering reassurance, and celebrate brave attempts, even when things do not go perfectly.

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Danish Economics HQ

Our money

🏦 Interest rates are going up again. The European Central Bank has raised its key interest rate from 2% to 2.25%, the first increase since 2023, citing concerns that higher energy prices could fuel inflation. For many people, nothing will change immediately, but homeowners with short-term variable-rate mortgages such as F-kort loans may soon see higher monthly payments. Analysts estimate the increase could add around 150 DKK per month for every 1 million DKK borrowed.

🛒 Food prices are falling, even as inflation edges higher. Consumer prices were 1.9% higher in May than a year ago, driven mainly by more expensive hotels and electricity. At the same time, supermarket price wars helped push down the cost of food. Economists say rising energy prices could make more goods and services more expensive later this year, but for now, most people’s wages are still growing faster than inflation.

🏠 Higher commuting tax deductions on the way. The government wants to temporarily increase the commuting tax deduction (kørselsfradrag) for the rest of 2026, benefiting around 1.1 million people. A typical commuter could save about 2,300 DKK in tax, while low-income earners would receive additional support. The proposal is designed to offset higher fuel costs without cutting petrol taxes and is expected to be fast-tracked through Parliament before the summer recess. If you travel more than 12 km to work, this applies to you.

⚡ Your electricity bill could eventually go up again. The temporary reduction in the electricity tax, introduced to help households cope with rising living costs, is currently set to expire at the end of 2027. The government has not found the money to extend it, meaning electricity could become more expensive again unless a new agreement is reached.

State of the markets

👵 Denmark is getting older and more unevenly populated. New projections suggest that by 2040, 42 municipalities could lose residents. Only 11 are expected to grow by more than 10%, mainly around Copenhagen and in East Jutland. The country’s population is also aging, with the share of people aged 70 and over expected to rise from 16% to 19% over the next 14 years. The forecast highlights a growing challenge for many smaller municipalities as young people continue to move towards larger cities.

📈 The government wants more people investing in Danish companies. Following the stock market debut of juice company Bar Djus, ministers unveiled plans to make share investing more attractive. The proposal would raise the limit on the tax-advantaged Aktiesparekonto from 174,200 DKK to 500,000 DKK and reduce some tax burdens for investors. The hope is that more private investment will help startups and growing businesses access the capital they need to expand.

🤖 Companies are starting to ask whether AI is worth the cost. Several global firms have begun rethinking how they use AI after seeing costs rise faster than measurable benefits. The trend is also in Denmark, where some businesses are scaling back AI subscriptions introduced without a clear business case. Despite fears of widespread automation, a recent study found that only 7% of companies have fully autonomous AI systems in operation.

⚡ Former customers of electricity company Velkommen say they are receiving unexpected bills years after ending their contracts. Some of the payment demands contain little explanation of what the charges cover. The Utility Regulator is already investigating the company and has received nearly 1,000 complaints about Velkommen and related firms this year. Consumer groups advise people not to pay bills they do not recognize.

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International Community HQ

💸 A man who sent a few hundred DKK to his mother in Sudan was told by tax authorities that he owed tax on nearly 3 million DKK. Police say his identity was stolen and used in a major money laundering scheme linked to several exchange offices in Copenhagen. The revelation came after he spent almost four years paying excessive taxes, trying to clear his name. The case is one of 70–80 similar identity theft cases being investigated as part of a money laundering scandal involving more than 1 billion DKK. After receiving new information from the police, the tax agency has now reversed its decision and will refund the money he overpaid.

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Denmark in Global Headlines

🌍 “Denmark to buy long-range stealth cruise missiles from the U.S.” – UK Defence Journal

🐷 “How campaigners beat industrial farming in Denmark’s ‘pig election’” – The Guardian

🔌 “Ireland’s range anxiety: Denmark has a similar population, look at the amount of EV chargers there” – The Irish Times

🕳️ “Mysterious 2,500-year-old holes across Denmark leave archaeologists searching for answers” – Arkeonews

🐋 “Autopsy fails to find clear cause of whale death in Denmark” – AP News