Venstre gives Lars Løkke one more chance

The party has been haemorrhaging members since Rasmussen’s latest scandal surfaced

After convening for four hours, the leading members of opposition party Venstre have decided to back its beleaguered party head Lars Løkke Rasmussen one last time after his latest shenanigans.

The meeting, which took place yesterday at the Hotel Crowne Plaza in Copenhagen, was arranged so that Rasmussen could explain why the party shelled out 152,000 kroner for various items of clothing and paid for a family holiday to Mallorca in Spain back in 2011.

“A unanimous party council backs him as head of Venstre,” Peter Gæmelke, a party council member said at a press conference after the meeting.

Rasmussen told state broadcaster DR that he considered resigning as head of the party because of this latest case, while a growing number of party members believe he perhaps should have, considering the party’s dwindling membership numbers.

READ MORE: Venstre paid 152,000 kroner for Lars Løkke's suits

Membership numbers falling
The party has reportedly been haemorrhaging members since Rasmussen’s latest scandal broke, and in some areas Venstre has stopped recruiting all together.

“Some things have been said and that costs memberships. That has become obvious,” Jens Nicolai Vejlgaard, a senior Venstre member in Ringkøbing, told Børsen newspaper. “There is no doubt that his case is not a winner for Venstre.”

Rasmussen is nearing the end of his political rope after a series of scandals over the past few years, the latest being the ‘Luxury Lars’ saga when it was revealed late last year that Rasmussen spent 770,000 kroner on first-class flights as the chairman of climate organisation GGGI, which is funded by Danish taxpayer funds.

TOP STORIES

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

Connect club

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

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs