The Week That Was May 30th – June 5th
Politics / Economy
The Social Liberals and Conservatives called for the closure of refugee camps that have been sitting vacant due to declining asylum applications. Only 56 people applied for asylum last week, far short of the levels the government had predicted for this year
Despite a decrease in asylum seekers, the government extended temporary border controls for the sixth time
Minister for Employment Jørn Neergaard Larsen claimed that high unemployment benefits hurt poor children by preventing their parents from looking for jobs.
Parliament adopted a law that will make it illegal to travel to areas where terrorist groups are fighting.
The ruling Liberals were heavily criticised by both sides of the political spectrum in the concluding debate before the summer recess. They were chided for failing to crack down on tax fraud, undermining environmental policy, and being power hungry. The Social Democrats, who led the previous government, also argued that the current regime is taking credit for achievements that were the result of prior policies. In the same debate, the Danish People’s Party clashed with fellow right wing party, Liberal Alliance, over tax cuts.
The Social Democrats refused to commit to a stance on whether to maintain the current, tight policies if they should come to power, highlighting a rift among the left-wing parties on refugee issues.
The Danish People’s Party was the latest in a growing list of parties to come out against plans to replace the PSO energy duty with an increase in income tax.
New polls showed that the centre left opposition would regain power if an election was held today – the Red/Green alliance suggested forming an ‘all red’ coalition government after the next election consisting of themselves, the Alternatives, and the Socialist People’s Party, while excluding the Social Democrats.
Legal experts criticised the government’s fast-tracking of complex family-reunification policy, arguing it impedes analysis of the law’s impact.
Statistics Denmark found that GDP increased by 0.5% in the first 3 months of this year, an increase from what was initially expected.
The jobless rate increased slightly in April to 4.3%, despite employment also rising, the uptick is from more people actively seeking work.
Budget negotiations between the government and the municipalities broke down over cutbacks. The municipalities claim they are being allocated an unfair share of the burden.
Experts commented that the government’s anti radicalization ‘imam package’ will do little to prevent terror.
The world Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Denmark the sixth most competitive economy, mostly due to strong, open institutions and rule of law.
Denmark’s biggest pension funds continue to invest in coal and other fossil fuels.
National Bank data indicated that taxpayers could be on the hook for another DKK 163bn from the financial crisis bailout.
Finance Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen failed to disclose a DKK400,000 campaign contribution in the most recent election
Politicians demanded paternity tests for a Syrian immigrant granted family reunification for 17 of his 20 children.
Foreign Affairs / EU
Former prime minister and ex-head of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen was appointed special advisor to Ukraine, a move criticised by Russia as a ‘hostile gesture’.
Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen announced that US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Denmark on the 16th, and Greenland on the 17th, of June.
The Danish ambassador in Tehran invited Iranian companies to visit Denmark to learn practices and techniques in water management.
Denmark will participate for the first time in Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) hosted by the US fleet, the world’s largest naval exercises.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction found that Copenhagen has the highest concentration of cocaine in northern Europe in its waste water.
The Finance Ministry is ‘preparing for the worst’ in the lead up to the UK’s brexit referendum – all of Denmark’s surviving foreign ministers banded together on Friday to call upon Britain to remain in the EU.
Social Affairs
A new study found that skilled foreign workers are a net positive for the Danish treasury compared to Danes, who are a marginal drain on it.
The first Dane to be stripped of his citizenship for supporting terrorism was given the right to appeal the decision before the Supreme Court.
An online petition, signed by over 1400 people of African decent living in Denmark, called on Danes to stop using the term ‘negro’.
The average salary grew by 1.8% over the last year, compared to inflation of 0.3%, which gives Danes a significant increase in disposable income
The gunman who attempted to kill journalist Lars Hedegaard in 2013 had links to what would later become IS.
Business
21,133 cars were bought in May, a record high, which underscores a recent upward trend in auto sales.
A new public initiative called Bloxhub plans to help firms export Danish smart city solutions abroad.
Nordea’s head of banking in Denmark, David Helleman, is stepping down after having held the post for only 2 years
French energy group Total ended its exploration of a potential fracking site in northern Denmark after concluding that there is not enough shale gas for commercial extraction.
Engineering and consultancy company Ramboll launched a brand new engineering centre in Gachibowli, India – it will also be the first foreign firm to design a 400MW wind farm in china
And That Was The Week That Was, May 30th – June 5th 2016 – to read all articles in full see: www.seven59.dk