We are the third safest country in Europe for road traffic
Last Week in Denmark (21.06-28.06) Episode 24 Year 6
What did we learn this week?
More than half of Denmark’s inspected agricultural trainee placements broke employment rules, with 12 farms reported to the police.
Construction workers on larger sites may soon have to carry official ID cards to help authorities combat illegal work.
Denmark wants to stop granting new residence permits to military-age Ukrainian men subject to mobilization.
Letter from the editor
This is the last edition of the first season in 2026. We’ll be back on August 9th for the second season of the year. The weekly podcast will also be back on that week.
The first part of this year has not been without challenges for our universe; if you remember the “dangerous spam” crisis when we lost hundreds of subscribers. Luckily we recovered a good part since then, but it has really shaken our confidence in the Substack platform and made us think that we might need a plan B for the newsletter in case something like this happens again.
We also apologize to the people who wrote to info@lwid.dk and never got an answer in recent months. We are working to cover that channel so that we can improve the communication lines.
At the same time, a lot of good things also happened in our universe.
Our Facebook channel got its own team of original content writers and started to publish Facebook-only content that you can’t find on our other platforms.
Our Instagram channel hosts a new series made by journalist Sarah Baksyte called Denmark’s Invisible Borders.
Our Linkedin channel launched a weekly carousel series focused on business called “Last Week in Business.”
The weekly podcast introduced guest co-hosts in seven episodes this season, for the first time in its five years.
The reporting team is working with the students at Erasmus Mundus in Journalism, Media, and Globalization to officialize a partnership where they will be integrated into our volunteer teams, significantly strengthening our capacities and providing students with practical work experience.
Our newsletter teams (for all nine languages) have managed to publish a newsletter every week as intended, which is an achievement in itself.
To be honest it’s quite incredible what we can do with will and a bit of free time. And here, I’m not talking only about our volunteers, but also YOU, our readers. Lately, there’s no event I can go to without finding at least one subscriber who tells me how they believe in this project and how they tell everyone they know about it. The only reason we have this strong following is thanks to YOUR efforts to spread the word, and we hope you will continue to do so in the future.
Enjoy your summer and see you in August.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Narcis George Matache, Executive Editor, LWID
Our long-form articles this week…
ADHD Is An Explanation, Not An Excuse by Florina Lungu
Beer, Bedlam, and Belonging: The World of Denmark’s Graduate Trucks by Stephanie Lund
When the Danes Were the Migrants by Juan Álvarez
When Danish Class Meets AI: The Story Behind DanskAI by Paulina Stachnik
The Org Chart is a Fiction by Florin Lungu
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Danish Politics HQ
Law proposals
🇬🇱 Women affected by Greenland’s contraceptive scandal will soon be able to apply for compensation. The Danish government has introduced legislation that would grant 300,000 DKK to each woman who received contraception without her consent in Greenland or Denmark between 1960 and 1991. Applications open on July 1, with claims processed once the law takes effect in September. Mobile outreach teams will also travel across Greenland to help eligible women apply, in what the government describes as an acknowledgment of “a dark chapter” in Danish-Greenlandic history.
🏗️ Workers on larger construction sites may soon be required to carry ID cards. The government has introduced legislation requiring identification cards on major building sites to make it easier for authorities to check immigration and workplace safety rules. The measure aims to combat labor exploitation and illegal work, particularly involving foreign workers, while ensuring fair competition for companies that follow the rules.
🚔 Denmark wants to make it easier to deport criminals. The government has proposed new rules that would make deportation the default for non-citizens sentenced to at least one year in prison for serious crimes. The proposal would also introduce electronic ankle monitors for those without legal residence in Denmark who repeatedly break reporting requirements, while expanding financial support for those who choose to return voluntarily to their home countries.
Political scene
📱 A member of Parliament has lost his spokesperson role after social media posts. DF (National Conservative) MP Allan Feldt sparked widespread criticism after posting a photo of a hijab-wearing daycare employee with speculative comments about her religion and conduct. He later deleted the post and apologized, but Frederiksberg Municipality has since reported him to the police, and his own party has responded by removing all of his spokesperson responsibilities and banning him from using social media on the party’s behalf.
🏛️ A debate over Quran law turned into a controversy over parliamentary conduct. During a parliamentary debate, independent MP Jakob Harris quoted an offensive joke about Jews to argue that Danish law allows racist jokes but criminalizes Quran burnings. Politicians from across the political spectrum condemned his remarks as inappropriate and beneath the standards of Parliament. Harris rejected accusations of antisemitism, saying his intention was to highlight what he sees as unequal treatment under the law.
⚓ A secret port agreement with China has sparked security concerns. Esbjerg Port, one of NATO’s key logistics hubs in Northern Europe, signed a cooperation agreement with a major state-owned Chinese port without first consulting the Danish Foreign Ministry. The government later intervened over concerns the deal could have “unintended consequences,” and security experts warned that even commercial partnerships with Chinese state-owned companies can raise strategic risks. Port officials insist the agreement is about improving trade routes for exports such as Danish seafood.
📚 The national reading exam is facing growing criticism. Teachers argue that the Year 9 Danish reading test measures how quickly students can navigate texts rather than how well they actually read and understand them. This year’s exam reportedly required a record 28 correct answers out of 50 just to pass, while the failure rate has steadily increased over the past decade. Education authorities reject the criticism, saying the exam is designed to assess both reading speed and comprehension, because skilled readers need to adapt their reading strategy to different tasks.
🪖 Conscripts will be deployed to Greenland for the first time under the country’s new 11-month military service. Beginning in late July, conscripts who started their service in February will spend a month supporting guard duties and the Arctic Endurance exercise alongside professional soldiers. The government says the deployment reflects our growing military focus on Greenland and the Arctic, and similar assignments abroad, including Latvia, could follow.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🚗 Denmark has been named one of Europe’s safest countries for road traffic. The country received the European Transport Safety Award after recording just 23 road deaths per million people in 2025, the third-lowest rate in Europe, behind only Norway and Sweden. Officials credit decades of investment in safer roads, stricter traffic laws, vehicle safety standards, police enforcement, and public awareness campaigns.
🗣️ The Danish language now recognizes gender-neutral pronouns. Den Danske Ordbog will include “hen” and “de” (singular they) alongside “han” and “hun.” Dictionary editors say the words have existed for years but only recently became widely recognized enough to be included. The latest update also introduces 292 new words, 12 new expressions, and revises 392 existing entries.
💊 Cocaine use among young people is highest in nightlife and major cities. A new study found that 24% of 15–25-year-olds who regularly go out at night have tried cocaine, compared with an estimated 9% across the same age group overall. A separate wastewater analysis estimates around seven tons of cocaine were consumed nationwide in 2025, with the highest levels detected in Copenhagen and Aarhus. Unexpectedly high fentanyl levels were detected in Fredericia.
🌿 Denmark’s first national wild nature park is already showing signs of recovery after one year. At Fussingø near Randers, around 120 grazing deer and Galloway cattle and restored natural waterways are helping boost biodiversity. Rare species, including Stella’s pseudoscorpion, have already been recorded. Fussingø is the first of 21 national nature parks planned to give nature more space to develop on its own.
🔥 Sankt Hans traditions are beginning to change. While many midsummer celebrations still feature the traditional straw witch on top of the bonfire, others are choosing to leave the witch out or even celebrate witches instead. Organizers say the focus is shifting more toward community and midsummer traditions. Critics of the old custom argue it symbolizes the historical persecution of people accused of witchcraft.
🎉 Younger hosts are increasingly inviting their neighbors to summer parties. According to a discussion on DR, many people in their 20s and 30s now notify neighbors before graduation parties and other celebrations by knocking on doors, leaving notes, or posting in local Facebook groups. The trend comes as neighborhoods across the country debate how to balance summer festivities with noise for those living nearby.
🐶 Dog-friendly ice cream is becoming a summer trend. More ice cream shops are now selling lactose-free ice cream for dogs, with flavors including salmon and liver. Animal welfare experts say the trend reflects the growing role pets play in many families and expect it to continue. Owners are advised to let dogs lick the ice cream slowly, as swallowing large frozen pieces can upset their stomachs.
🤖 The Danish Armed Forces are launching a dedicated AI Center. The new center will develop artificial intelligence for military planning with the aim of reducing reliance on foreign technology providers. It will work closely with universities and private companies and use the Gefion supercomputer to accelerate development. The center expects to employ around 30 people by the end of the year, with the long-term goal of embedding AI across the entire defense organization.
🎬 A forgotten heroine of the resistance movement is getting recognition. A new DR documentary tells the story of Jutta Graae, a key intelligence operative who helped coordinate secret communications between the Danish resistance and British intelligence during the Second World War. She played a role in major wartime operations, received the Order of the British Empire in 1947, and later worked for the Danish intelligence service.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
💰 Lolland Municipality is warning of a severe financial crisis. The municipality expects a 531 million DKK budget deficit and says it could run out of cash next year without major spending cuts. Even with around 300 million DKK in additional state support, officials estimate a funding gap of at least 200 million DKK remains. If the finances cannot be stabilized, Lolland will be placed under state financial administration.
🌡️ There is no “heat leave” but employers must protect workers during heatwaves. The Danish Working Environment Authority says employers are responsible for providing safe working conditions, including drinking water, regular breaks, and, for outdoor workers, shade and sunscreen when the UV index exceeds 3. Indoor workplaces should normally stay below 25°C, although higher temperatures may be accepted during exceptional heatwaves if other protective measures are in place.
🌙 Five projects received 10.2 million DKK to make journeys home from nightlife safer. The funding will support initiatives including safe spaces near train stations, bystander training for young people, improved street lighting, a safety app that alerts trusted contacts, and a national awareness campaign. The program follows research showing that half of young women feel unsafe walking home at night.
State of the markets
📈 Tryg has admitted it needs to better explain sharp insurance price increases. Some customers have seen premiums for home contents, accident, and travel insurance rise by up to 40%, prompting criticism over generic explanation letters. The country’s largest insurer says it will review how it communicates price changes but has stopped short of promising customers more detailed explanations. Consumer advocates say unclear pricing has become a widespread issue across the insurance industry.
💻 AI data centers are beginning to push up the price of everyday electronics. Surging demand for memory and storage chips used in AI infrastructure has driven component prices higher, with manufacturers warning the impact will spread across laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other devices. Apple became the first major brand to raise prices. Analysts expect more consumer electronics companies to follow.
🌲 Illegal dumping is becoming a growing problem in forests. Forest managers report increasing amounts of construction waste, household appliances, furniture, and garden waste being abandoned in woodland across the country. Some clean-up operations have cost tens of thousands of DKK, prompting several forest owners to install barriers and increase surveillance. The Danish Forest Association is calling for tougher penalties to deter environmental dumping.
International Community HQ
🚜 More than half of inspected agricultural trainee placements failed to meet employment rules. The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) found violations in 94 of 181 inspections, including unpaid holiday entitlements and missing weekend or overtime supplements. Following the findings, 12 host farms have been reported to the police. Immigration Minister Morten Bødskov says the current trainee scheme will be replaced with a new system after a nationwide review.
🇺🇦 Denmark plans to tighten its special rules for Ukrainian refugees. Under a new proposal, Ukrainian men aged 23–60 who are subject to military service in Ukraine would no longer be eligible for new residence permits under Denmark’s Ukraine Special Act. The government says the change is intended to prevent the scheme from being used to avoid military mobilization and will not affect Ukrainians who have already received residence permits in Denmark.
Community Noticeboard
🎷 Copenhagen Jazz Festival | 📍Copenhagen (citywide) | 🗓 July 3-12 | Hundreds of concerts across the capital, with a mix of free and ticketed events.
🧑🧑🧒 ParentLab Salons | 📍 25hours Hotel, Copenhagen | 🗓️ July 8 & 19 and August 5 | Baby-friendly, parent-focused conversations with like-minded adults
🏝️ Fejøs Festival | 📍Herredsvej 158, 4944, Fejø | 🗓 July 15–19 | A five-day island festival with music, community events, and activities.
🎵 Musik i Gentofte | 📍Gentofte | 🗓 July 31–August 1 | A local music festival featuring live performances in the Copenhagen area.
➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk
Denmark in Global Headlines
🏺 Archaeologists find huge Viking textile production site in Denmark - NPR
📡 Denmark must pay telecoms firm US$12m for Huawei equipment removal - South China Morning Post
🇬🇱 Denmark says Greenland talks with US could conclude with deal by end of 2026 - Anadolu Ajansi
✈️ Denmark hires Greenland airline for Arctic surveillance - The Straits Times
As always an excellent newsletter, thank you!
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People, who don't want to be forcibly conscripted and send to die on a frontline are a classic examples of war refugees. The debate about the new asylum regulations for Ukrainians show that Ukrainians are mere cannon fodder for much of Danish establishment. Maybe, peace is better?
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Good news about the "compensation". However, it is not a "contraceptive scandal". As much as scandalous, it falls under the crime of forced sterilisation under the Geneva Convention, because it de facto meant many of those women haven't had children, while some lost fertility permanently as a result.
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To return "voluntarily" is also some kind of novomova. There is nothing free about migration, when you make people's lives so miserable, they would rather "return" than be a subject to this.
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AI embedded in the military, when has that ever go wrong :)