The Week That Was, July 2nd – July 8th 2018

Politics/Economy

Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen defended Denmark’s level of defence spending after receiving a letter from U.S. President Trump demanding an increase.

A majority of voters still believe the government coalition, backed by the Danish People’s Party (DPP), is  the best guarantor of a strict immigration policy – a new Norstat poll showed  37% of the electorate believe a centre-right coalition will keep a tighter reign on immigrants and refugees, compared to 32% for a Social Democrat-led government.

Despite constantly tightening immigration legislation the government is considering moves to fast track much-needed skilled foreign workers into the labour market.

Justice Minister Søren Pape Poulsen rejected a Danish People’s Party (DPP) demand to extend the mandate of the re-opened Tibet Commission to investigate the possibly of a cover-up by the authorities during the first commission.

Uffe Elbæk demanded an invitation to the traditional, USA style, live TV debate between the prime minister and opposition leader ahead of the next election – the Alternative leader surprised everybody last week when he said his party wouldn’t line up in either the ‘red’ or ‘blue’ bloc and nominated himself as a potential prime minister.

Confidential documents obtained by news radio 24/7 indicated former environment minister Esben Lunde Larsen deliberately concealed crucial information during cross-party negotiations regarding a new pesticide strategy last year.

The Social Democrats and Socialist People’s Party (SPP) signed the new energy bill but vowed to continue the ‘climate battle’ with the government this autumn.

The ruling Liberals are ready to offer emergency aid to farmers whose earnings have suffered due to the drought – food and agriculture spokesman Erling Bonnesen said with no sign of rain, the agricultural sector is struggling.

Denmark has some of the best working conditions in the world according to a new OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) comparison.

The National Bank hasn’t felt the need to intervene to protect the Danish krone for the past 15 months, the longest period since the euro was introduced – currency reserves remained stable in June at DKK461.8bn.

Denmark’s ageing fleet of F-16 fighter jets, heading for the scrapyard in 2024, have been given a 6-month stay of execution due to a delay in the construction of the new home for the F35s that will replace them.

EU/Foreign Affairs:

According to a new study, Denmark has dropped to 17th  as the most sought-after place to work for workers worldwide, compared to 14th in 2014.

Denmark is finding it increasingly difficult to send failed asylum seekers back to the EU country where they were originally registered.

Danish hauliers are suing the EU Commission for approving allegedly illegal state subsidies to mail carrier Post Nord, formerly Post Danmark.

Social Affairs:

A review of all rape convictions in Denmark over the past 18 months by tabloid daily BT showed that 10 out of 12 of those found guilty were immigrants or descendants of immigrants.

Criminal kids as young as 10 could be punished by a new Juvenile Crime Board, under the anti-crime package agreed by the government, Danish People’s Party (DPP) and Social Democrats.

News radio 24/7 reported that at least 100 Syrian residents of Denmark have taken a trip back to their native country this year.

The Liberal Alliance called for a halt to all state-funded translator assistance for immigrants, students, and other foreign residents.

To read all the above articles in full see:  http://seven59.dk/archive (subscription required)

Business:

New business minister Rasmus Jarlov demanded to know how much Danske Bank has earned from money laundering after Berlingske reported the bank’s Estonian branch could have handled at least DKK 53bn ($8.3bn), more than twice the amount previously reported – London-based businessman Bill Browder, a prominent critic of Vladimir Putin, told TV2 he believes Danske Bank was ‘central’ to Russia’s money laundering activities. National Bank Governor General Lars Rohde said the Danske Bank money laundering scandal has seriously damaged Denmark’s reputation abroad and also confidence in Danish banks and authorities.

Vestas announced a restructuring of its China sales business unit after China’s energy regulator announced that future wind projects will be awarded through an auction system – the wind energy giant received an order for the 48 MW Guzmancitos wind park to be located in the Puerto Plata region, in the Dominican Republic, its fifth in the country and at the same time expanded its global presence further with an order for three wind parks in Bolivia.

Carlsberg and US-based Brooklyn Brewery joined together on a new venture in Lithuania.

Companies throughout Denmark are ready to hire an extra 18,000 new workers over the next few months, according to trade organisation, the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI).

Partially state-owned energy giant Ørsted signed the world’s largest single turbine deal with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) to supply the Hornsea Project Two wind farm in the North Sea, off the east coast of the UK.

And That Was The Week That Was, July 2nd – July 8th 2018: To read all the above articles in full see: http://seven59.dk/archive (subscription required).