Culture minister receives death threats over Christmas tree controversy

Uffe Elbæk ‘uncomfortable’ over Facebook attacks received after saying traditions are “negotiable”

The culture minister, Uffe Elbæk (Radikale), has received vicious personal attacks and even death threats after wading into the heated dispute surrounding the decision by the resident’s association of a housing complex in the northern Zealand town of Kokkedal not to fund an annual Christmas tree this year.

Elbæk said during a debate surrounding the issue that he believed that Christmas was a “wonderful tradition” but that it was not parliament’s place to interfere in a democratic decision reached by a smaller electoral body.

“No wonder you received threats after saying our traditions are open for discussion,” wrote one angry poster on Elbæk’s Facebook page. “In my eyes, you are a national traitor with the spine of a slug. Being Radikale is not a political point of view, it is a character flaw.”

Elbæk said that the emotional pitch of the attacks have left him uncomfortable and that he is sorry that what he called “extremists” are driving the debate surrounding the Christmas tree.

“If I could turn back the clock, I would hope that this had not become such an emotional issue,” Elbæk told Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

The Christmas tree issue has worked some political leaders into a lather.

“Some might say that it is merely a banal disagreement in a little case on a board,” MP Karen Jespersen (Venstre), wrote in an opinion piece on Berlingske’s website. “But the case shows how radical Muslims react when they get power.”

Soon after the tree saga began, Ekstra Bladet tabloid ran a story about how the Salvation Army noticed that around 90 percent of those asking for support over Christmas in a small town in Jutland had names that were not traditionally Danish.

MP Pia Kjærsgaard of the right-wing Dansk Folkeparti used Facebook to go on the attack herself.

“In a time when a Muslim-dominated housing association uses all of its resources to fight the Danish traditions of Christmas cheer and Christmas trees, Muslims also stand in line to ask for Christmas help,” Kjærsgaard wrote.

Elbæk stood by his contention that the case should not be an issue for Christiansborg, but said that the resident’s board had made a “bad decision”.

“I think the majority must always take into account the rights of the minority,” he said.

Karin Leegaard Hansen, the chairman of the resident's board, said she also feels threatened and has decided to move out of the area.

Hansen was a member of the minority that voted for the Christmas tree and publically took the board to task for trying to stop the tradition. Her apartment windows have been smashed during the controversy.

"I cannot work," she told Berlingske newspaper. "We have terminated our lease and found a place in Jutland. I hope to get out as soon as possible."

Tensions in the neighbourhood continue to run high before a special general resident's meeting that was scheduled for 6pm this evening.

Elbæk was hopeful that those in attendance would elect a new board that will sort out the Christmas tree problem.

“I truly hope that those running the meeting will help create a different and more nuanced majority on the board,” he said.




  • The intuition trap: leading Danes in cross-cultural teams

    The intuition trap: leading Danes in cross-cultural teams

    Signe Biering, an executive coach trained in psychology with a background in diplomacy, explains how over-reliance on intuition in decision-making can hinder cross-cultural collaboration. She highlights Denmark’s cultural tendency to trust gut feelings and authenticity but warns of its risks in diverse teams. Biering advocates for leaders to challenge instincts, embrace differences, and balance intuition with analytical thinking to foster trust, collaboration, and growth.

  • “Talents, start using AI tools now,” says Siri and Change.org founder

    “Talents, start using AI tools now,” says Siri and Change.org founder

    In an exclusive interview with The Copenhagen Post, the founder of Siri and Change.org, and currently VP of AI Experience at Airbnb, gives young talents advice on how to deal with the job market changed by artificial intelligence.

  • Testing free school meals for 20,000 kids and tax deduction for homeowners in 2025 Finance Act

    Testing free school meals for 20,000 kids and tax deduction for homeowners in 2025 Finance Act

    The government has reached an agreement on next year’s Finance Act with SF and Radikale Venstre. A test on free school meals for a limited number of children will be introduced. Homeowners will get more options for deductions for home improvements

  • Make your voice heard as an expat

    Make your voice heard as an expat

    In my last op-ed, I made the case that we, expats living in Denmark, need to step up if we want to tackle the headaches that seem baked into expat life—e.g., counterintuitive laws and endless paperwork. With almost 16% of Denmark’s population made up of internationals, we actually have the numbers to influence real change. But after publishing the last op-ed, several readers contacted me and asked: Okay, but what can we actually do?

  • Danish politicians will double life science exports in a few years

    Danish politicians will double life science exports in a few years

    “Strategy for life science” is a policy agreement to support the pharmaceutical industry’s opportunities to double exports to DKK 350 billion towards 2030

  • “Without internationals, we wouldn’t have the people we need,” says Fujifilm

    “Without internationals, we wouldn’t have the people we need,” says Fujifilm

    Fujifilm’s Hillerød facility thrives with a diverse workforce, employing over 1,800 people from more than 65 nationalities. Morten Munk, Director of Global Alliance Management, highlights how the company’s rapid growth relies on attracting international talent due to Denmark’s limited pool of scientific professionals.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • The intuition trap: leading Danes in cross-cultural teams

    The intuition trap: leading Danes in cross-cultural teams

    Signe Biering, an executive coach trained in psychology with a background in diplomacy, explains how over-reliance on intuition in decision-making can hinder cross-cultural collaboration. She highlights Denmark’s cultural tendency to trust gut feelings and authenticity but warns of its risks in diverse teams. Biering advocates for leaders to challenge instincts, embrace differences, and balance intuition with analytical thinking to foster trust, collaboration, and growth.

  • “Talents, start using AI tools now,” says Siri and Change.org founder

    “Talents, start using AI tools now,” says Siri and Change.org founder

    In an exclusive interview with The Copenhagen Post, the founder of Siri and Change.org, and currently VP of AI Experience at Airbnb, gives young talents advice on how to deal with the job market changed by artificial intelligence.

  • “Without internationals, we wouldn’t have the people we need,” says Fujifilm

    “Without internationals, we wouldn’t have the people we need,” says Fujifilm

    Fujifilm’s Hillerød facility thrives with a diverse workforce, employing over 1,800 people from more than 65 nationalities. Morten Munk, Director of Global Alliance Management, highlights how the company’s rapid growth relies on attracting international talent due to Denmark’s limited pool of scientific professionals.