Right-wing surge confirmed
For the second time this month, an opinion poll is coming up roses for the populist Dansk Folkeparti (DF). In an Epinion poll taken after the government announced its cabinet reshuffle last week, DF polled at 17.8 percent of the votes, which would be the party’s best result ever and give it a total of 31 seats in the 179-member legislature, a gain of nine from its current total. An August 6 Greens/Børsen poll also found DF polling at 31 seats. DF’s stunning gain overshadowed the first bit of good electoral news for the ruling coalition since the 2011 election. The PM’s Socialdemokraterne gained a slim 0.5 percent, while junior ally Socialistisk Folkeparti edged ahead 0.7 percent. Were the election to be held today, the centre-right opposition would storm to power with 100 seats. – DR Nyheder
Smoking telephone number
A US travel ban on a Danish man provides evidence that the two countries exchange intelligence information about possible terrorists, according to University of Copenhagen security issues expert Flemming Splidsboel. The man in question, 24-year-old Tobias Linde Schanz, who has no criminal record, was barred from travelling to the US in July. US authorities declined to state why the travel ban was issued, but Schanz's mobile telephone number was previously held by an individual who had connections to possible terrorists, and who was interviewed by the domestic intelligence agency PET on a number of occasions. “If the phone number [Schanz] has overtaken was previously used by someone PET was interested in that’s likely the reason for his being banned.” – Politiken
Beer shortage looming
Holding a party this weekend? You’d better stock up now. Carlsberg is warning that a strike at its Fredericia plant could result in shortage of kegged beer and bottle soda by the weekend. About 130 employees at the Jutland plant began striking Monday in protest over the hiring of a non-union worker. Despite a meditator ruling that the strike was illegal and issuing picketers fines of 35 kroner per hour, the employees voted to continue the stoppage again today. A Carlsberg spokesperson said the company normally has enough inventory to last a week, but reassured beer lovers there would always be something on the shelf to buy. “It will be impossible to avoid a shortage, but we will never run out entirely.” That’s probably the best news ever. – Jyllands-Posten
ISS ready for its IPO
ISS, one of the world’s largest facility services providers, is prepared to make a return to the stock market, according to the management and private equity firms that own the company. ISS was de-listed in from the Copenhagen stock exchange in 2005 after it was taken over by EQT and Goldman Sachs. According to both organisations and ISS chairman Ole Andersen, the most likely date for an IPO would be in connection with its annual general meeting this coming spring. EQT and Goldman sought three times in 2011 to unload ISS. Two attempted acquisitions, one with G4S, a security firm, for 44 billion kroner, fell through, while an IPO was scratched after the catastrophic Japanese tsunami soured investors’ moods. – Børsen
Unknown opt-out requirement
Danes receiving treatment in the national health service have most likely had tissue samples added to the national biological register without their consent. The samples are available for research purposes, and participation is voluntary, but in order to not be included, individuals must actively opt-out. In the ten years the so-called Biobank has existed, however, only 460 people have asked not to have their samples kept. Patient rights specialists said the low number of opt-out requests was an indication the health service was not properly informing people of their rights. Officials from Statens Serum Institut, the state organisation responsible for managing the Biobank, saw it as an indication of Danes’ willingness to contribute to science. – Jyllands-Posten
From first place to first fired?
FC Copenhagen coach Ariël Jacobs says he won’t be surprised if he, as bookmakers suggest, becomes the first Superliga skipper to be fired this season. Last year’s league champions have yet to win a match, and find themselves in dead last. Jacobs, a Belgian, said he had been given no indication that he was in imminent danger of being fired, but realised that winning was a requirement. “That’s the reality in football.” Despite the disastrous start, Jacobs still felt his club was the league’s strongest – on paper. “But there’s a difference between thinking something and showing it on the pitch,” he acknowledged. – BT
