The Week That Was, June 30th – July 6th 2025:
Politics/Economy:
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed she intends to seek a third term as prime minister - in an interview to mark her 10th anniversary as Social Democrat the PM stated very clearly she intends to stay at the helm of both her party and the government.
Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen warned against a sharp escalation of foreign workers after the government and labour market representatives finalised a deal that will make it easier for workers from 16 selected non-EU countries to work in this country.
Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen downplayed reports of a potential DKK10bn ($1.6bn) investment in four Global Eye planes from Swedish manufacturer Saab but acknowledged that the government is considering buying a stake in the hi-tech surveillance aircraft to boost monitoring of the Arctic.
The Moderates dismissed an opposition proposal to outlaw the sale of a parliamentary seat as a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction.
The economy shrank more than expected at the start of 2024, largely due to a sharp drop in output from the pharmaceutical industry – new figures showed Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased 1.3 percent, month on month, in Q1, the first decline since Q4, 2022.
EU/Foreign Affairs:
Denmark assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1st - Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pledged to strengthen Europe’s security over the next six months, citing war, migration, and climate change as pressing threats. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Denmark’s leadership, calling the country a reliable ally and urging the bloc to move forward on Ukraine’s membership.
European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre urged the European Union to consider deploying its most powerful legal weapon - Article 7, the so-called 'nuclear option' that can ultimately suspend a member state’s voting rights - against Hungary for its persistent breaches of core EU principles.
Although the government is opposed to flexibility in climate targets it will be forced to work towards a compromise during Denmark’s Presidency of the EU following pushback from governments including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic
The U.S. State Department ordered embassy and consulate employees in Denmark and Greenland to hand over all material relating to Donald Trump’s interest in annexing the Arctic country.
During an official visit to Copenhagen German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced he’s planning to visit Greenland in September.
Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli accused left-wing parties at Copenhagen City Hall of ‘siding with Islamists’ after they voted against a proposal to target antisemitism in schools.
Copenhagen Police and emergency response teams were called to the Israeli Embassy, Thursday, after a suspicious package was found.
Social Affairs:
A 53-year-old Danish national was arrested in Aarhus on suspicion of spying for Iran, possibly with the aim of launching terror attacks on Jewish targets in Germany.
The High Court ruled that the Albertslund Municipality, west of Copenhagen, acted correctly when it required two female Muslims to shake hands with male colleagues.
A controversial activist previously convicted of threatening a minister was named in leaked Russian documents as part of a state-sponsored influence campaign.
Business:
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which only emerged from bankruptcy protection last August, placed a $4bn order for 55 aircraft from Brazilian planemaker Embraer. It was also reported that Air France-KLM intends to increase its ownership in SAS from 19.9 per cent to 60.5 per cent.
3.1 million passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport in June, its busiest start to summer ever and a 9% increase year-on-year.
Shares in wind-energy giant Vestas soared by 10%, Wednesday, after the U.S. Senate passed a revised budget bill that was more positive for wind power compared to an earlier version.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed she intends to seek a third term as prime minister - in an interview to mark her 10th anniversary as Social Democrat the PM stated very clearly she intends to stay at the helm of both her party and the government.
Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen warned against a sharp escalation of foreign workers after the government and labour market representatives finalised a deal that will make it easier for workers from 16 selected non-EU countries to work in this country.
Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen downplayed reports of a potential DKK10bn ($1.6bn) investment in four Global Eye planes from Swedish manufacturer Saab but acknowledged that the government is considering buying a stake in the hi-tech surveillance aircraft to boost monitoring of the Arctic.
The Moderates dismissed an opposition proposal to outlaw the sale of a parliamentary seat as a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction.
The economy shrank more than expected at the start of 2024, largely due to a sharp drop in output from the pharmaceutical industry – new figures showed Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased 1.3 percent, month on month, in Q1, the first decline since Q4, 2022.
EU/Foreign Affairs:
Denmark assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1st - Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pledged to strengthen Europe’s security over the next six months, citing war, migration, and climate change as pressing threats. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Denmark’s leadership, calling the country a reliable ally and urging the bloc to move forward on Ukraine’s membership.
European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre urged the European Union to consider deploying its most powerful legal weapon - Article 7, the so-called 'nuclear option' that can ultimately suspend a member state’s voting rights - against Hungary for its persistent breaches of core EU principles.
Although the government is opposed to flexibility in climate targets it will be forced to work towards a compromise during Denmark’s Presidency of the EU following pushback from governments including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic
The U.S. State Department ordered embassy and consulate employees in Denmark and Greenland to hand over all material relating to Donald Trump’s interest in annexing the Arctic country.
During an official visit to Copenhagen German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced he’s planning to visit Greenland in September.
Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli accused left-wing parties at Copenhagen City Hall of ‘siding with Islamists’ after they voted against a proposal to target antisemitism in schools.
Copenhagen Police and emergency response teams were called to the Israeli Embassy, Thursday, after a suspicious package was found.
Social Affairs:
A 53-year-old Danish national was arrested in Aarhus on suspicion of spying for Iran, possibly with the aim of launching terror attacks on Jewish targets in Germany.
The High Court ruled that the Albertslund Municipality, west of Copenhagen, acted correctly when it required two female Muslims to shake hands with male colleagues.
A controversial activist previously convicted of threatening a minister was named in leaked Russian documents as part of a state-sponsored influence campaign.
Business:
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which only emerged from bankruptcy protection last August, placed a $4bn order for 55 aircraft from Brazilian planemaker Embraer. It was also reported that Air France-KLM intends to increase its ownership in SAS from 19.9 per cent to 60.5 per cent.
3.1 million passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport in June, its busiest start to summer ever and a 9% increase year-on-year.
Shares in wind-energy giant Vestas soared by 10%, Wednesday, after the U.S. Senate passed a revised budget bill that was more positive for wind power compared to an earlier version.
Danish Krone Exchange Rate