The Week That Was, February 3rd-9th 2025:

Posted on 09. Feb, 2025 in: TWTW

Politics/Economy:

A new Gallup survey for Berlingske showed the ruling Social Democrats are at 23%, a 2-year high, with a 3.4% rise since December - voters have rewarded Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for her stable leadership amid international tensions. A separate poll showed the new right-wing Citizens Party (Borgernes Parti) founded by former New Right leader Lars Boje Mathiesen would win 2.2 % of the vote if an election was held today, just above the 2% needed for parliamentary representation.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declined to rule out the possibility of a war tax to finance increased defence spending even though a new Megafon survey for TV 2 revealed that 55% of  voters oppose the idea  - Economy Minister Stephanie Lose lashed out at the pro-business Liberal Alliance for making ‘false’ claims about a potential war tax but declined to rule out future tax increases.

Parliament’s Oversight Committee summoned the PM regarding Denmark’s controversial DKK1.7bn ($250m) purchase of rocket launchers from Israeli company Elbit.

The government unveiled a new strategy for maritime security to address the 'increasingly complex' threats to shipping - Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that as a small country with major maritime interests Denmark needs to adapt to shifting global security dynamics.

A cross-party political majority called for a ban on foreign donations to political parties and candidates.

Greenland will hold a snap election on March 11th after the parliament (Inatsisartut) in Nuuk unanimously approved Prime Minister Múte Egede’s proposal for a quick election – the ruling party, Siumut, said it would demand an immediate referendum on independence in the next parliamentary term. The Faroe Islands are pushing for greater autonomy from Denmark but unlike Greenland want to remain part of the Danish realm

EU/Foreign Affairs:

The EU issued a joint declaration of support for Denmark and said it will defend the country’s territories against Donald Trump if needed. A new YouGov poll showed nearly half of the electorate now see the U.S. as a greater threat to Denmark than North Korea or Iran. 34% of respondents in a new Megafon survey said they believe all new military investment in Greenland should be shelved until it’s clear whether the territory wants to remain in the Kingdom, while 51% disagreed. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen hit back at US Vice President J.D. Vance criticism of Denmark. Speaking to reporters ahead of an informal EU leaders meeting in Brussels the PM stated very firmly:

"I will not have Denmark’s name associated with claims that we are a bad ally. We are not, we have never been, and we never will be.”

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said he was ‘disappointed and saddened’ by US Vice President J.D. Vance's recent claim that Denmark hasn’t been a good ally but at the same time reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to a strong alliance with the US.

Following a working dinner with her British counterpart Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in London, Ms Frederiksen said Denmark and the UK have agreed to ‘step up joint cooperation’ to address threats faced in the Artic region – however, Mr Starmer declined to offer assurances of UK support in the Greenland dispute.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged geopolitical concerns in the Arctic but avoided directly addressing the growing crisis between Denmark and the US.

Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin warned his country will do everything necessary to defend its interests in the Baltic Sea and accused NATO of attempting to turn the region into its own ‘internal waters’ by restricting freedom of navigation and enforcing Western sanctions.

The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) announced increased inspections of ships transporting Russian oil through Denmark’s territorial waters north of Skagen in Jutland - the DMA said it would start conducting control checks on ships that are part of Russia’s’ ‘shadow fleet’ to ensure compliance with regulations on maritime safety.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Danish fighter jets were scrambled 81 times last year in response to Russian military aircraft flying close to Denmark.

The government abandoned its frugal approach and declared itself open to joint EU borrowing as Denmark prepares to assume the EU Presidency from July 1st.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen lobbied for a two-state solution as the best way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict - he also praised Saudi Arabia’s ‘pivotal role in the region’ regarding Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian affairs.

Denmark’s planned prison in Kosovo has been delayed again and is now expected to open in April 2027 instead of September 2026 - Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaaard said the latest delay is due to new time estimates for the renovation of the facility but reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to transferring foreign criminals sentenced to deportation.

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza and turn it into ‘the Riviera of the Middle East’ as unrealistic.

Social Affairs:

Anti-Islamist politician Rasmus Paludan defied the law by burning a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen District Court heard how a Swedish teenager charged with terrorism for allegedly throwing two hand grenades towards the Israeli embassy in Hellerup in October is suspected of involvement in a shooting at Israel’s embassy in Stockholm around the same time.

Business:

Danish companies paid a record DKK107b in corporate taxes last year, only the second time ever the figure has exceeded DKK 100bn  - Tax Minister Rasmus Stoklund welcomed the record-high sum as the ‘sign of a strong economy.’

Novo Nordisk, Denmark’s biggest company, posted a record DKK 28.23 bn profit ($4bn) in 2024 as revenue topped an astonishing DKK 290bn - the pharmaceutical giant saw a 25% increase in sales, with North American revenue rising by 30%.

Danish Crown, the world’s largest pork exporter, announced plans to close its China facility.

The tiny island of Bornholm was awarded a DKK4.8bn (€645m) grant by the EU to aid construction of the Energy Island project, described as a ‘first-of-a-kind hybrid interconnector in the Baltic Sea that will link Denmark and Germany.'

The National Bank cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.35%, mirroring the European Central Bank's (ECB) decision to cut eurozone rates.

A cross-party political majority agreed to speed up construction of the hydrogen pipeline between Esbjerg and the German border.

And That Was The Week That Was, February 3rd-9th 2025: To read all the above articles in full see: http://seven59.dk/archive (subscription required).


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