The Week That Was, June 29th – July 5th 2026:
Politics/Economy:
The economy grew by a modest 1.9% in the year’s first quarter (Q1) mainly due to the strong pharmaceutical sector - a new study by the Rockwool Foundation found that a halving of sales in the pharmaceutical industry would reduce GDP by two percent and cut public finances by DKK13bn ($2bn).
The Green Left (SF) called for a break with traditional public spending calculations in order to deliver on its campaign promises of major investment in welfare and the green transition.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled that Greenland and the Faroe Islands will not be recognised as separate and independent Olympic teams at the 2028 Los Angles games.
The Danish Climate Council (DCC) called for higher airline ticket prices to encourage people to fly less and reduce the environmental impact of aviation.
EU/Foreign Affairs:
The government announced a 30th military aid package for Ukraine including more ammunition, weapons and other military equipment - Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment during talks with President Volodymyr in Kyiv.
The Agency for Social Security and Preparedness warned that the threat of destructive cyberattacks by Russian state-backed hackers has intensified - three Russian vessels linked to Vladimir Putin were spotted passing through Danish waters.
Donald Trump hasn’t given up on his dream of acquiring Greenland - his specially appointed envoy to the island, Jeff Landry, said he had discussed the issue recently with the President who had stated very firmly ‘we need to get Greenland’. Former ministers called on the U.S. to clean up its abandoned bases in Greenland follows revelations that thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste, more than 400,000 litres of diesel, and significant amounts of heavy metals were left behind when American forces withdrew some years ago.
During talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Copenhagen Foreign Minister said Denmark ‘stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China under the framework of the UN and other multilateral platforms, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and jointly address various global challenges.’
NATO announced plans to establish a new headquarters in southern Denmark by 2029 to strengthen the alliance’s command structure in northern Europe.
German prosecutors charged a former Ukrainian soldier with playing a leading role in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea near Bornholm four years ago.
A new Eurostat report showed that Denmark has the highest share of electricity from renewable sources in the EU.
Social Affairs:
Displaced Ukrainian men aged 23-60 will no longer be granted automatic residency in this country after the government proposed a change to the Ukraine Special Act.
A Muslim procession through the inner-city district of Nørrebro was denounced by politicians because women were ordered to walk behind men during the annual Day of Ashura event.
A new poll showed the electorate is split on the prospect of a new nuclear power plant being built at Barsebäck, southern Sweden, just 23 kilometres from Copenhagen.
The Tax Authority (SKAT) admitted making mistakes after a television investigation revealed it had spent years pursuing innocent identity theft victims for millions of kroner in unpaid tax.
The Danish passport was ranked joint fifth in the latest Global Passport Index, a measure of factors including taxation, innovation, economic competitiveness, healthcare, security, climate and social infrastructure.
Angry residents of Odense, Denmark’s ‘3rd city’, held a demonstration over the weekend to challenge the authorities’ poor handling of a toxic caterpillar infestation that has caused mass rashes and itching.
Foreign couples are flocking to Aalborg in north Jutland to get married, attracted by Denmark’s simpler marriage procedures and restrictions.
Business:
Scandinavia’s flagship airline SAS, close to bankruptcy two years ago, agreed to purchase up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft with a list price of more than $10 bn (DKK64bn) the largest investment in the company's history. SAS rejected allegations its experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol after a 45-year-old pilot received a 10-month suspended prison sentence and a one-year ban on flying over French territory after testing positive for cocaine - cabin crew have been caught with excessive blood alcohol levels on three occasions over the past 12 months.
Retail sales increased by 1% month-on-month in May, reversing a 1.8% fall in April - on a yearly basis sales rose 3.8%.
Items imported from Chinese online giants such as Temu and Shein will become more expensive for Danish consumers after the EU imposed a €3 (DKK22) duty on low-value e-commerce imports in a move to curb unfair competition from online retailers.
41 restaurants across Denmark were awarded 53 Michelin stars in the 2026 Michelin Guide, improving on last year’s tally of 50 stars in 37 restaurants.
The National Bank was forced to intervene in the foreign exchange market in June after the krone weakened to its lowest level against the euro in more than 25 years.
The economy grew by a modest 1.9% in the year’s first quarter (Q1) mainly due to the strong pharmaceutical sector - a new study by the Rockwool Foundation found that a halving of sales in the pharmaceutical industry would reduce GDP by two percent and cut public finances by DKK13bn ($2bn).
The Green Left (SF) called for a break with traditional public spending calculations in order to deliver on its campaign promises of major investment in welfare and the green transition.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled that Greenland and the Faroe Islands will not be recognised as separate and independent Olympic teams at the 2028 Los Angles games.
The Danish Climate Council (DCC) called for higher airline ticket prices to encourage people to fly less and reduce the environmental impact of aviation.
EU/Foreign Affairs:
The government announced a 30th military aid package for Ukraine including more ammunition, weapons and other military equipment - Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment during talks with President Volodymyr in Kyiv.
The Agency for Social Security and Preparedness warned that the threat of destructive cyberattacks by Russian state-backed hackers has intensified - three Russian vessels linked to Vladimir Putin were spotted passing through Danish waters.
Donald Trump hasn’t given up on his dream of acquiring Greenland - his specially appointed envoy to the island, Jeff Landry, said he had discussed the issue recently with the President who had stated very firmly ‘we need to get Greenland’. Former ministers called on the U.S. to clean up its abandoned bases in Greenland follows revelations that thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste, more than 400,000 litres of diesel, and significant amounts of heavy metals were left behind when American forces withdrew some years ago.
During talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Copenhagen Foreign Minister said Denmark ‘stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China under the framework of the UN and other multilateral platforms, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and jointly address various global challenges.’
NATO announced plans to establish a new headquarters in southern Denmark by 2029 to strengthen the alliance’s command structure in northern Europe.
German prosecutors charged a former Ukrainian soldier with playing a leading role in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea near Bornholm four years ago.
A new Eurostat report showed that Denmark has the highest share of electricity from renewable sources in the EU.
Social Affairs:
Displaced Ukrainian men aged 23-60 will no longer be granted automatic residency in this country after the government proposed a change to the Ukraine Special Act.
A Muslim procession through the inner-city district of Nørrebro was denounced by politicians because women were ordered to walk behind men during the annual Day of Ashura event.
A new poll showed the electorate is split on the prospect of a new nuclear power plant being built at Barsebäck, southern Sweden, just 23 kilometres from Copenhagen.
The Tax Authority (SKAT) admitted making mistakes after a television investigation revealed it had spent years pursuing innocent identity theft victims for millions of kroner in unpaid tax.
The Danish passport was ranked joint fifth in the latest Global Passport Index, a measure of factors including taxation, innovation, economic competitiveness, healthcare, security, climate and social infrastructure.
Angry residents of Odense, Denmark’s ‘3rd city’, held a demonstration over the weekend to challenge the authorities’ poor handling of a toxic caterpillar infestation that has caused mass rashes and itching.
Foreign couples are flocking to Aalborg in north Jutland to get married, attracted by Denmark’s simpler marriage procedures and restrictions.
Business:
Scandinavia’s flagship airline SAS, close to bankruptcy two years ago, agreed to purchase up to 40 Airbus widebody aircraft with a list price of more than $10 bn (DKK64bn) the largest investment in the company's history. SAS rejected allegations its experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol after a 45-year-old pilot received a 10-month suspended prison sentence and a one-year ban on flying over French territory after testing positive for cocaine - cabin crew have been caught with excessive blood alcohol levels on three occasions over the past 12 months.
Retail sales increased by 1% month-on-month in May, reversing a 1.8% fall in April - on a yearly basis sales rose 3.8%.
Items imported from Chinese online giants such as Temu and Shein will become more expensive for Danish consumers after the EU imposed a €3 (DKK22) duty on low-value e-commerce imports in a move to curb unfair competition from online retailers.
41 restaurants across Denmark were awarded 53 Michelin stars in the 2026 Michelin Guide, improving on last year’s tally of 50 stars in 37 restaurants.
The National Bank was forced to intervene in the foreign exchange market in June after the krone weakened to its lowest level against the euro in more than 25 years.
Danish Krone Exchange Rate